Students who fail to fill out the U.S. Census or do so incorrectly are doing a disservice to their city of residence by contributing to a cycle that decreases federal funding and limits political representation for one’s region in the House of Representatives.

In a few weeks, the Grand Valley State University student population will be asked to complete the 2010 U.S. Census.

Without understanding or appreciation for the census, many will fill out the form incorrectly or fail to do so at all. Failure to fill out the census will either prompt a personal visit from a Census Bureau representative or a $100 fine; and although it may seem worth it at the time to cite your annual income as $1 trillion, the decision to deliberately answer a question falsely could cost $500 in fines.

Even for those students who would disregard the “Your Response is Required by Law” warning stamped on the census envelope, threat of triple-digit fines should be motivation enough to answer 10 questions.

The knowledge that your answers are strengthening your city’s political representation and aiding its economic state is only an added plus.

While none of the census’ questions are intended to trick respondents, similar to any questionnaire, some areas are open to interpretation.

For college students, who are known for their nomadic housing arrangements, it may seem logical to cite their permanent residence as their parents’ home.

This is a common misconception.

If a student is not residing in their parent’s home as of April 1, they should list their place of residence as their current on- or off-campus apartment on the census form.

While this practice does skew the data for college towns, as the state and federal governments continue to cut higher education funding, lobbying for greater political clout in Allendale and Grand Rapids’ through population statistics is not altogether a bad idea.

Billions of dollars in federal funding is guided by census counts based on population totals. More than 24,000 students attend GVSU and at least half of that number live in Allendale and Grand Rapids for the greater part of the year. However, at the 2000 census, the population of Allendale was recorded at a measly 11,555.

If GVSU students take the initiative to correctly fill out the 2010 census, this number will likely double and the immediate GVSU community will finally receive the federal funding and representation its residents, students included, deserve.