AMES, Iowa -- The City of Ames is asking Iowa State University students to "Claim Ames" in the 2020 U.S. Census.
"Students living in Ames during the school year are residents of Ames for the Census. Sometimes that's a confusing issue, so we're going to help our students better understand that" says ISU President Wendy Wintersteen.
Ames and ISU on Monday announced a joint marketing effort designed to get students to "Claim Ames" in 2020.
"Already we've had so many students and student groups step up to help our campaign. We believe that peer-to-peer, or student-to-student outreach will be our most effective way of messaging--supported by the community and university" says Ames Public Relations Officer Susan Gwiasda.
The city says Census rules require college students to complete a form in the community they live for the majority of the year.
Notification about the census will begin in mid-March.