(3-10-2010) Stanly Community College (SCC) is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to achieve a complete and accurate count of the U.S. population in 2010. The partnership is part of a larger effort by the Census Bureau to increase participation in the 2010 Census.

“As a higher education institution dedicated to helping our students shape the future, we are committed to ensuring each student understands the importance of participating in the 2010 Census,” notes SCC president, Dr. Michael Taylor. “We are enthusiastic about our partnership with the Census Bureau on this important initiative and committed to helping increase overall participation in 2010.”

The partnership will involve sharing information about the census and encouraging students, faculty and staff to complete and return their 2010 Census forms. Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments based on census data. Leaders use this data to guide planning decisions on where to build new schools, roads, hospitals, child-care, senior centers and more.

Data also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and affect college and university grant and loan programs.

“With the help of our 2010 Census partners, the Census Bureau has a far greater chance of reaching every person in the United States than if we were to attempt this monumental task alone,” said Robert Groves, director, U.S. Census Bureau. “Through their unique roles as educators, colleges and universities can help deliver the 2010 Census message to students in every corner of the nation.”

More than 140,000 organizations supported Census 2000 as partners, including schools; community and faith-based organizations; state, local and tribal governments; media; businesses and others.

Census forms will be mailed in March and April 2010. Information shared with the Census Bureau is completely 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.

For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov.