SUNY New Paltz sent information to students last week with guidance on how their 2020 Census status and obligations are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related social distancing mandates.
For on-campus resident students, the Department of Residence Life works with the Census Bureau to make sure students living in our residence halls are included in the Census by responding on their behalf.
For students who live off-campus, the College reminds students how important it is that they complete their Census response with the address where they were living prior to COVID-19.
Below, we share the two messages that were sent to on- and off-campus students, respectively, with information about reporting requirements.
Message to Resident Students
Our response on your behalf to the 2020 Census
Dear______,
As you were preparing to leave campus unexpectedly last month in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus), we were beginning to collect information from our on-campus residents for the 2020 Census. Every 10 years, the Census Bureau collects a count of all U.S. residents based on where they live on April 1. Even though you are completing the semester elsewhere to help mitigate the coronavirus spread, the Census Bureau still wants to record your campus address as your residence. That’s because the census results steer millions of state and federal dollars to your campus community for roads, schools, public safety, transportation and other services that students, faculty and staff depend on daily.
Our Department of Residence Life staff works with the Census Bureau to make sure students living in our residence halls are included in the Census.
Since you are not on campus to complete the Census, we will respond on your behalf. Using student records called “directory information,” we will supply the Census Bureau with your name and campus address. You do not need to take any action if you have not opted out of sharing your “directory information” with us.
We are bound to respect your privacy. We are only permitted to release information you have previously consented to releasing. Some students on campus have opted to be excluded from this “directory information.” If you know that to be case, please visit my2020census.gov, select “If you do not have a Census ID” and complete the Census using your campus address in order to be counted.
Finally, please ask your parent, guardian, relative or friend where you are staying to complete their Census and remind them that they should not include you on their response. We have you covered – and that’s important to you and to future students here on campus and in the community that supports the campus with emergency and other important services.
We look forward to seeing you back on campus as students or alumni when it is safe for everyone to return.
Take care and be well.
Sincerely,
Lucy Walker
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Research
Message to Off Campus Students
2020 Census – we need your help
Dear______,
As the College transitioned unexpectedly to distance learning last month as part of our response to COVID-19 (coronavirus), we were beginning the process of collecting information and alerting our students – both on-campus residents and students who live off campus – about the 2020 Census. Every 10 years, the Census Bureau collects a count of all U.S. residents based on where they normally live on April 1.
Today, I am asking for 10 minutes of your time to complete your required Census response. The results of the Census steer millions of dollars of state and federal dollars to our community for roads, schools, public safety, transportation and other services that students, faculty and staff depend on in their lives.
For our community to receive that money, we have to be counted. And in most cases, college students are counted on campus because you normally study, work and sleep at your college address. Unless you lived at your permanent address with a parent or relative during the academic year, you must respond from your off-campus address – even if you have moved away due to COVID-19.
We cannot respond for you and need your help. Here is information on how to participate.
If you are still living at your off-campus address
You should have received a Census invitation in the mail between March 12 and 20, then
several follow-up reminders if you haven’t responded. Visit my2020census.gov and use the 12-digit Census ID noted on the invite to complete the survey. If you can’t find your invite, select the option for no 12-digit code and enter your address. Include the names and details of everyone living with you. If you are not sure if someone else from your household has already completed the invitation, respond anyway, as your duplicate response will be removed.
If you have moved away from your off-campus address
You are still counted at your off-campus address, not at the home of parent, friend or relative where you are staying now. If you don’t have access to your Census invite visit my2020census.gov, select the option for no 12-digit code and enter your address. Include the names and details of everyone living with you. If you are not sure if someone else from your household has already completed the invitation, respond anyway. Your duplicate response will be removed.
If you live with a parent during the school year
Remind your parent to respond to the Census and ask them to be sure to include you in their response.
If you have roommates
Your census response includes the name, birthdate, age, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and birthdates of everyone living in your house or apartment. One of your roommates should coordinate the collection of this information and respond at my2020census.gov. The Census does not ask for your Social Security or bank account number.
Thank you for your attention to this request. The 10 minutes it takes to complete the Census will help our campus and local community over the next decade. We appreciate your willingness to be counted and look forward to seeing you back on campus as students or alumni when it is safe for everyone to return.
Take care and be well.
Sincerely,
Lucy Walker
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Research
