Are you ready to be counted?

Starting March 23, Centre County residents will receive forms to be filled out for the 1990 census.

The Census Bureau has designated "special areas" on and about campus to receive the forms, including all dorms and fraternity houses. Students living in special areas will receive the forms April 2. Students living in apartments will find the forms in their mailboxes March 23.

This will be the 21st U.S. census. Since 1790, the Census Bureau has counted the country's population every 10 years as mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

Population figures are used to allocate money for a variety of state and federal programs. Census findings also help apportion the number of seats a state receives in the federal House of Representatives. States will either lose or gain representation in the House, depending on increases or decreases in their populations as confirmed by the census.

"An accurate count is very important to the state of Pennsylvania," said David Fuscus, spokesman for Rep. Bill Clinger, R-Pa. "It is estimated that the state will lose a number of congressional seats in the next few years."

Anthony Cahill, assistant professor of public administration, believes Pennsylvania will probably lose two seats in the House of Representatives as a result of the 1990 census.

"It is more than likely that Pennsylvania will lose two seats and this will mean a redistricting of congressional lines in the state," said Cahill. "This will affect Pennsylvania's representation in the House for the next 10 years, so it is important that we get an accurate count."

Congressional districts are used to indicate each representative's area in a state. If a redistricting occurs, it could mean an increase in the Democratic or Republican representation of that state, Cahill said.

At the census bureau in State College, Rose Ann Neary, district office manager, ensures a precise count.

"We opened in December and we'll be here until August," Neary said. "We'll do anything to get the bodies counted."

Questionnaires will be mailed in both long and short form. One out of six State College area residents will receive a long form. Beginning in April, enumerators will be sent to the residences of those people who do not return their forms.

The long form is distributed at random, and given to one out of every six people surveyed. Additional questions on the long form change each decade and record information reflecting societal changes.

According to the census bureau in State College the total population in Centre County in the 1980 census was 112,760. That number is expected to increase in the 1990 census due to the increased growth of State College, Neary said.

Exactly how much it will grow is unclear at this point, Neary said.

"Out-of-state students should be aware that although you may not be a Pennsylvania resident, you are required to fill out the form according to your current residence when the census is taken," Neary said.

Neary explained the census bureau needs temporary help and is accepting applications for enumerator and office positions. Anyone interested can call the State College office at 231-4520.