Students who live on-campus and may have returned home during campus closure should NOT be counted in the Census at home. You are still counted at Winona State. Please tell those at home who may be filling out the Census to not count you. Students who live off-campus and may have returned home during campus closure should STILL be counted in Winona. Please complete your Census with your Winona household (apartment or house). For more information see Census Bureau Statement on Modifying 2020 Census Operations to Make Sure College Students are Counted.
From the Census FAQ PDF:
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ME?
Responding to the census is not only your civic duty; it also affects the amount of funding your community receives, how your community plans for the future, and your representation in government. Specifically, data from the 2020 Census are used to: • Ensure public services and funding for schools, hospitals, and fire departments. • Plan new homes and businesses and improve neighborhoods. • Determine how many seats your state is allocated in the House of Representatives.
HOW CAN I RESPOND?
In 2020, for the first time ever, the U.S. Census Bureau will accept responses online, but you can still respond by phone or mail if you prefer. Responding should take less time than it takes to finish your morning coffee.
WHAT INFORMATION WILL BE REQUESTED?
The decennial census will collect basic information about the people living in your household. When completing the census, you should count everyone who is living in your household on April 1, 2020.
WHAT INFORMATION WILL NOT BE REQUESTED?
The Census Bureau will never ask for: • Social Security numbers. • Bank or credit card account numbers. • Money or donations. • Anything on behalf of a political party.
WILL MY INFORMATION BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?
Strict federal law protects your census responses. It is against the law for any Census Bureau employee to disclose or publish any census information that identifies an individual. Census Bureau employees take a lifelong pledge of confidentiality to handle data responsibly and keep respondents’ information private. The penalty for wrongful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. No law enforcement agency (not the DHS, ICE, FBI, or CIA) can access or use your personal information at any time. Data collected can only be used for statistical purposes that help inform important decisions, including how much federal funding your community receives. The Census Bureau has a robust cybersecurity program that incorporates industry best practices and federal security standards for encrypting data.
Do you live in campus housing including West Campus, East Lake, or Veteran Housing?
NO! You are counted by WSU! Be sure to tell your family not to count you at home.
Do you live off-campus?
YES! You need to complete the Census online, by phone, or through mail. Be sure to tell your family not to count you at home.
Do you live off-campus with roommates?
YES! You need to complete the Census WITH your roommates! Only complete one Census per address. You can fill it out online, by phone, or through mail. Be sure to tell your family to not count you at home.
Krueger Library staff are here to help with any Census questions you have! If you need assistance or have a question, send us a message via the chat box below.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19 concerns, Krueger Library staff are unavailable for in-person Census help. Please contact via chat or email.
