SUNY New Paltz is encouraging all off-campus students to complete the 2020 Census, a quick and easy act of democratic citizenship that has long-lasting benefits to the New Paltz community.
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 on which students, faculty and staff depend every day.
For our community to receive that money, we have to be counted. Every 10 years, the Census Bureau collects a count of all U.S. residents based on where they normally live on April 1.
This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated that process, as many students who would otherwise have been living on or near campus have returned home due to social distancing regulations.
The College is authorized to respond to the Census on behalf of students who live on campus, but students who reside at off-campus addresses must respond from those addresses – even if you have moved away due to COVID-19.
We remind members of our community that Census data is confidential and only used to create statistics about the United States. Census responses are never shared with landlords, police departments, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Department of Homeland Security.
The census does not ask for Social Security numbers, bank account or credit card information or anything on behalf of a political party. There is no citizenship question on the 2020 census.
Taking 10 minutes today to fill out the Census for your local New Paltz residence will support the College and the surrounding community for the next 10 years. Here’s what to do:
If you have moved away from your off-campus address
The Census counts college students at their off-campus addresses, not at the home of a parent, friend or relative where they may have moved in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
So, when you fill out your Census, use your New Paltz local, off-campus address where you resided before COVID-19, not the address where you are currently living.
You should have received a Census invitation in the mail in mid-March, then several follow-up reminders if you haven’t responded. Those physical invitations contain a 12-digit Census ID code.
If you have your invitation, simply visit my2020census.gov and use the Census ID to complete the survey.
If you can’t find your invite, that’s okay – you just need to select the option that reads “If you do not have a Census ID, click here” Enter your address and 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 are still living at your off-campus address
If you have your physical Census invitation received by mail, simply visit my2020census.gov and use the Census ID to complete the survey.
If you can’t find your invite, select the option that reads “If you do not have a Census ID, click here” Enter your address and 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 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.
