WSU Hosts Census Panel Discussion
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber Historical Society Lecture Series will host the Wildcats Count: Census 2020 Panel, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in Weber State University’s Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Panelists will discuss the important role the census plays in society, how the data helps provide necessary resources to the community and what it means when individuals and families do not complete it.
“The United States started counting its people in 1790 and hasn’t missed a decade since then,” said Leah Murray, political science professor. “We use this data to know where and who our people are, and we use this history as part of our country's memory. Every person needs to be counted.”
Mallory Bateman, a State Data Center coordinator and senior research analyst at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, and Hollie Gilliland, Golden Spike Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution regent, will participate in the panel. Bateman will discuss the use of census data demographically, and Gilliland will explore the use of data in archival research for genealogical purposes.
Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and learn how they can help WSU's efforts to get people counted. Political science professor Leah Murray will facilitate the event.
The panel kicks off Weber State's participation in the 2020 Census. Other campus events will include classroom presentations, art class projects and informational tabling events.
WSU’s census efforts will culminate with Census Night on April 1 at the Ogden campus, and April 2, at WSU Davis, from 6-8 p.m. Attendees can ask questions and receive assistance completing the census.
The U.S. Census is a count of the current population within the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the census every 10 years as mandated by the Constitution. An invitation to participate, online, by phone or by mail, will be sent to all homes by April 1. This is the first time an online response option will be available.
The census provides data that lawmakers, government agencies, business owners and others use to provide daily services, products and support for the community. The federal government uses the data to distribute billions of dollars in funding to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads and other resources.
The results also determine the number of congressional seats from each state, as well as how legislative and school districts will be drawn. The 2020 Census marks the 24th time the U.S. has counted its population since 1790.
The free presentation is sponsored by the WSU Political Engagement Coalition, WSU Alumni Association, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Department of History, Stewart Library and Weber Historical Society.
Visit weber.edu/History/historicalsociety for more information on the Weber Historical Society Spring Lecture Series.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
Teresa Martinez, Center for Community Engaged Learning coordinator
801-626-7737 • teresamartinez1@weber.eduEric Swedin, WSU history professor
801-626-6692 • eswedin@weber.edu