October 1, 2020
Dear IU students,
I write today to urge you to take the tiny moment required to fill out your U.S. Census form by Oct. 5.
Mandated by the United States Constitution itself, the census is critical to our community’s federal funding for crucial services such as emergency services, medical and food assistance, fire and road safety, and programs for children and seniors. An accurate census is also crucial for research in every discipline on the campus.
The impact that our student population has on census results and the public good that the data supports cannot be overstated. All IU students who would normally have been living in Bloomington on April 1, 2020, should fill out the census accordingly—even if the COVID-19 pandemic caused you to physically leave town, and even if your parents included you on their census forms.
I echo IU President Michael McRobbie's message from yesterday encouraging everyone to register to vote by Oct. 5 if you’re planning to vote in Indiana. You can also check to ensure that you’re registered and find your polling place online.
Your voice as a citizen and a community member is a powerful tool. You can find more information on the U.S. Census as it relates to IU students at census.iu.edu.
Best wishes,
Lauren Robel
Provost and Executive Vice President
IU Bloomington