Few may remember filling out those mind-numbing census forms that appeared in our mailboxes last year - maybe because many did not bother to fill them out at all. But those that did check boxes in the Census 2000 pamphlets provided crucial data that has served as the basis for several initiatives, such as the redistricting proposals at the state level, and increased Hispanic recruitment at the University level.
The revenge of redistricting
The most recent ramification of the census data is the redistricting of 40 Senate seats and 100 Delegate seats in the Virginia General Assembly. This process occurs every 10 years after the Commonwealth receives census data. Republicans in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have proposed plans that will help them increase their majority in both houses. Because of the Republican majority in both houses, the districting plan is expected to pass after debate beginning today.
Because of increased growth in Northern Virginia compared to the rest of the state, the region is slated to pick up six seats overall in the proposal, three in each house. The districts are located mainly in the region's southern and western rim around Interstate 95 and fast-growing Loudoun County.
Many Democrats are upset over the new lines because they will split up jurisdictions into multiple districts and force incumbent Democrats to compete against each other. For example, under the proposal, the Democratic leader in the Senate, Mary Margaret Whipple of Arlington, shares a district with Democratic Sen. Leslie Byrne of Fairfax. They could be forced to face each other in the 2003 elections. focensus
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Redistricting based on party preferences is "nothing unusual" according to Larry J. Sabato, professor of government and foreign affairs, who said that it has been done since Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry in the early 19th century. The term "gerrymandering" is named after him.
"There's nothing more partisan than redistricting," Sabato said.
"The redistricting by the Republicans is highly partisan. But so was the redistricting by the Democrats in the last time around in 1991," he said.
Many Republicans cite the unfair treatment they received 10 years ago in a Democratic controlled legislature as the rationale behind drawing these lines.
Locally, some legislators are upset over the splitting of parts of Albemarle County into several districts. Democratic Sen. Emily Couric's district will extend westward to include parts of Amherst, Rockbridge and Alleghany counties instead of including northern Greene and Madison counties and part of Orange County. The district now includes all of Charlottesville and Albemarle, Nelson, Greene and Madison counties as well as part of Orange County.
Sen. Frank Ruff (R-Clarksville), who lives near the North Carolina border, will also adopt an eastern section of Albemarle County under the proposal. Ruff and Couric are working on a proposal to adjust the plan and give Couric all or most of Albemarle back.
In the House of Delegates, the proposed plan splits Albemarle County into four districts. Republican Del. Paul C. Harris would represent the northern and eastern parts of the county, all of Greene County and the majority of Fluvanna residents. His district currently encompasses most of Albemarle and parts of Greene and Rockingham Counties.
The southern part of Albemarle County would now be part of Del. Watkins M. Abbitt's (D-Appomattox) new district. Del. R. Steven Landers (R-Weyer's Cave) would represent a western portion of the county.
Charlottesville Del. Mitchell Van Yahres's (D) district changes in the proposal, but still remains in Charlottesville and Albemarle counties. Despite a change, Sabato says that these changes were intended to entrench rather than threaten the local delegates and senators.
"Van Yahres, Harris and Couric will all easily be reelected [in the new districts] if they choose to run," he said.
Hispanic underrepresentation
The most recent numbers released by Census 2000 reveal a surprisingly large number of people of Latino or Hispanic origin living in Virginia, especially in the northern counties of Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington. The census counted Hispanics as 4.7 percent of the Virginia population, up from 2.6 percent in 1990, a growth of 106 percent. Hispanics also make up 12 percent of the national population.
But although the University has an abundance of Northern Virginians, Latino students are underrepresented if the ideal level of diversity corresponds with either the national or state percentage of Hispanic people.
The University's student population now is around 2.7 percent Latino.
But that percentage is growing every year, said Latino Student Admissions Committee President Mayra Bolton. Bolton heads up Spring Blast, an event aimed at convincing prospective Hispanic students to choose the University. It is similar to Spring Fling, an event designed to recruit black students. Next weekend, Hispanic high school students who have been accepted to the University will be hosted by University students and attend students panels discussing the Latino community on Grounds. Bolton said between 60 and 70 students and parents attended Fall Blast, and she hopes Spring Blast will be even more successful.
The admissions office also plans to step up Hispanic recruitment efforts, Dean of Admissions John A. Blackburn said. Admissions officials and University students travel to Arlington high schools, such as Washington and Lee, and Wakefield, where there are large Hispanic populations, to talk to students about applying to college and why they should choose the University. Spanish-speaking University students also spend time talking with students' parents, who may not speak English, about their sons' and daughters' options.
Blackburn said he hopes the University's recruitment efforts can help the University's student body better represent the growing diversity of Virginia.
A Charlottesville recount?
Census results also surprised the city of Charlottesville when it offered a strangely high population count for the city.
The 1990 census reported that the city's population was 40,470. The 2000 census counted 45,049 Charlottesville residents, a huge growth.
According to John Knapp from the University's Weldon Cooper Center, growth experts have no idea where the 5,000 extra residents came from. So the city and Albemarle County have concluded that the Census Bureau mistakenly counted students living in University Housing as city residents, rather than county residents. Parts of University territory is considered Albermarle County, Knapp said.
The city is deciding whether or not to appeal the census report, he said.
The complete results of Census 2000 may be found at www.census.gov.
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