Spring Break
Census taker visits Olds
Jack Hittinger
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News
A few randomly selected women in Olds Residence awoke Feb. 9 to find a surprise waiting at their door - a U.S. Census Bureau survey.
Although some of the students found it strange to see a federal government official in their residence at 10:30 in the morning, the census taker "seemed official," said freshman Katelyn Pay.
The survey asked specific questions about school and about financial-related information.
"He had a government ID and handed us a bunch of pamphlets," Pay said.
Despite the pamphlets, most of the residents still did not know why the census representative chose them or for what the information would be used.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said that the Census Bureau's appearance on the Hillsdale College campus is nothing new - the last census representative came in 1999 or 2000.
"They always ask for a random group of students and ask them routine questions," Philipp said.
The bureau always sends the college a letter asking for permission, Philipp said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said that the census surveys are more useful to the city than they are to the college.
"If a city is a acertain size, then they can qualify for more federal aid," Péwé said. "Counting the college helps the City of Hillsdale qualify for more aid."
Philipp said students make 10 percent of Hillsdale's population when school is in session.
The letter the Census Bureau sent Philipp said that local governments use the data for budgeting, community programs and developments including those for the elderly, scouts, libraries and hospitals.
Even though the college doesn't accept such money, Péwé said that college students add more than 1,000 people to the city's numbers - a difference that could make or break city qualification for aid programs.
"Even though [federal aid programs are] foreign to us we're glad to help the city out," Péwé said.
Although some of the students found it strange to see a federal government official in their residence at 10:30 in the morning, the census taker "seemed official," said freshman Katelyn Pay.
The survey asked specific questions about school and about financial-related information.
"He had a government ID and handed us a bunch of pamphlets," Pay said.
Despite the pamphlets, most of the residents still did not know why the census representative chose them or for what the information would be used.
Dean of Women Diane Philipp said that the Census Bureau's appearance on the Hillsdale College campus is nothing new - the last census representative came in 1999 or 2000.
"They always ask for a random group of students and ask them routine questions," Philipp said.
The bureau always sends the college a letter asking for permission, Philipp said.
Vice President of Administration Rich Péwé said that the census surveys are more useful to the city than they are to the college.
"If a city is a acertain size, then they can qualify for more federal aid," Péwé said. "Counting the college helps the City of Hillsdale qualify for more aid."
Philipp said students make 10 percent of Hillsdale's population when school is in session.
The letter the Census Bureau sent Philipp said that local governments use the data for budgeting, community programs and developments including those for the elderly, scouts, libraries and hospitals.
Even though the college doesn't accept such money, Péwé said that college students add more than 1,000 people to the city's numbers - a difference that could make or break city qualification for aid programs.
"Even though [federal aid programs are] foreign to us we're glad to help the city out," Péwé said.
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