Census Invitation Arrives by April 1
‘Be aware that census enumerators will come to the doors of households that have not submitted a census form.’
– MONIKA ANTONELLI, Outreach Library
For more information about the 2020 Census go to the Minnesota State University, Mankato: 2020 Census library guide https://libguides.mnsu.edu/2020Census.
To get help filling out the census visit the Ask a Librarian service at Minnesota State Mankato https://libguides.mnsu.edu/ask or contact: Evan Rusch: 507-389-2460; evan.rusch@mnsu.edu or Monika Antonelli: 507-389-2507; monika.antonelli@mnsu.edu.
Every 10 years, the United States counts everyone living in the country, including college students. Your response to the 2020 Census impacts funding ranging from university Pell Grants to health care services.
By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census.
Monika Antonelli, outreach librarian for the Memorial Library, said some students can expect to receive the invitation. She encourages students to take a proactive response to the 2020 Census.
“Students are historically the lowest compliance group” she said. “The library is letting students know that they are required to do it.”
Responding to the survey can be done online, by phone or by mail. International students may also be required to respond to the census.
The census reports are done by residence, not by person. For instance, in an apartment shared by four individuals, one person should be designated as the official taker of the census. That person fills out the information for the other three.
Responses are confidential
“It is against the law for the Census Bureau to share your responses in any way that could identify you or your household,” Antonelli added.
Census reports not completed may result in a knock on your door from the Census Bureau.
“Be aware that census enumerators will come to the doors of households that have not submitted a census form,” Antonelli said. “I’m not sure how that is going to work out with the current situation.”
Information from the library regarding the 2020 Census:
- If you live in off-campus housing that is not owned, leased, or managed by your college or university, such as a private house that you share with other students or a privately owned apartment, you can respond online, by phone, or by mail beginning in mid-March 2020. You should count yourself at your off-campus address, even if you spend time somewhere else during school breaks.
- If you live in on-campus student housing like residence halls, off-campus residence halls, or other student housing facilities that are owned, leased, or managed by your college or university, U.S. Census Bureau employees will work with representatives from your building to ensure that you are counted.
- If you are an international student, the same rules apply.
