Census Team To Visit All Five Campus Locations In April

As the 2010 Census draws near, Columbia State is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure everyone completes and mails back their census form. Participation is important to the future of our community. As a result, Columbia State is hosting Census information booths at various campus locations during April.

Taking 10 minutes to complete and mail a census form is the easiest and most efficient method of participation in the 2010 Census. Additionally, mailing back a census form reduces overall costs of conducting the census. For each census form returned by mail, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70, or about $85 million for every one percent increase in mail participation.

On Monday, April 5, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. a Census team will be set up in the Jones Student Center on the Columbia Campus. From 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on April 7, the team will travel to the Williamson County Campus, and on Monday, April 12 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., will visit the Lawrence County Campus. On April 13, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., the team will be at the Lewisburg Campus, and on April 15, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., the Clifton Campus.

Why Participate in the Census?
As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the United States must be counted in the census. This includes people of all ages, races and ethnic groups; citizens and noncitizens. Conducted every 10 years, the census is more than just a population count. The 2010 Census will present a new portrait of America, showing us how our nation has changed in the past decade and helping to determine what our communities need for the next 10 years.

Census data provide numerous benefits to the people of this nation and the places we live. For example:
• Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments.
• Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data.
• Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers.

These and many other benefits are possible with an accurate count in 2010. Participating in the census is one of best ways the people in the nine county service area that Columbia State serves (Maury, Williamson, Marshall, Lewis, Giles, Lawrence, Hickman, Wayne and Perry) can contribute to society and make a lasting difference.

For more information, visit 2010census.gov.

What You Should Know

Timing
Census forms will be mailed or delivered to all households in March 2010. Complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence, both relatives and nonrelatives. Every household should complete their census form upon receipt and return it in the postage-paid envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return the forms to take the count in person.

Confidentiality
The information you provide on your census form is confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents' answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.

Assistance
Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form, and Language Assistance Guides also will be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations. For those with visual impairments, the Language Assistance Guide will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service (VRS) can call the TDD number, 1-866-783-2010.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, the sixth largest higher education system in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.