UTSA faces a challenge. We have been called to “come to our senses, and take part in the census”, as apart of the campus campaign to get more students involved in the 2010 Census.
The United States’ Constitution  requires that a census of the entire population, citizens and noncitizens alike, be made every 10 years.
The Constitution uses the census to  allocate the appropriate number of representatives to the Congressional House of Representative. More representatives means  a stronger voice in Congress when it comes down to passing legislation.
How does this political tactic affect UTSA students? The census also helps decide where the majority of government funding will go. The more populous the region, the more federal and state funding the regionreceives.
The funding could be used for projects such as roads, schools, hospitals and grants. Sophia Azoubel, partnership specialist, said if students drive on roads, go to hospitals and go to college,  the Census outcomes will affect them.
On Feb. 25 UTSA held a special event in which speakers came to talk to students about the upcoming census. Azoubel displayed a detailed presentation and discussed the basics of the census.
The most important point  Azoubel stressed to students, the misconception of the form long and tedious. She also emphasized the confidentiality agreement between the Census Bureau and the citizen.
Azoubel informed the audience that the census has drastically changed. The 2000 Census contained 53 questions, while this year’s census has only 10.
“Students are probably turned off because they think it will be a long form and they don’t know how to fill it out,” census student worker, Sarah Godfrey said.
In an attempt to get the United States population more involved, the Census Bureau restructured the form to avoid discouraging participation.
Students may question whether they need to fill out a form if their parents are already filling one out.
 “The form wants to count where you are at that moment in time,” Azoubel said.
 If a student plans on moving back home in two months or to Austin next year, it does not matter. Where you are on the census date of April 1st is what matters.
On-campus students will receive questionnaires from housing staffs during March-April. For those students who live off-campus or at home, the form will be mailed during  March.
International students living in the San Antonio area must fill out a form as well. All forms must be returned by April 1 to the designated area.
The Census Bureau imposes restrictions on the distribution of personal information regarding any citizen. No other branch in the government including the FBI, CIA, Welfare and Immigration agency will be allowed access to this information. All answers to the census questionnaire are completely confidential.
“Families should know how important it is to the Census Bureau to uphold all private information; It is purely for statistical purposes,” Azoubel said.

Azoubel closed the presentation by asking students to become involved either by spreading the word or working directly with the Census Bureau.
“We are recruiting for part-time or full-time positions which could last up to 12 weeks. There are jobs all over the area,” Azoubel said.
Students interested in a job should contact 1-866-861-2010 for more information.
“Everyone should spread the importance of the census to friends, families, and neighbors,” Godfrey said.