This is of relevance to the transportation planning community. I understand USDOT staff are working on a response, but I would recommend that others (MPO, State DOTs, Researchers) help out on this one as you see fit. Chuck Purvis, MTC ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 10:28:26 -0500 (CDT) From: Census 2000 <census2000(a)atlas.socsci.umn.edu> To: survey-list(a)hist.umn.edu Subject: URGENT! PUMS 2000 Dear PUMS Survey respondent: Thank you for filling out our survey on the 2000 PUMS. Your help is needed again. We reported the results of the survey to the Census Bureau at a May 22 meeting in Washington, and I am optimistic that we made real headway in persuading Bureau staff that detailed subject categories are essential to users. The plan to suppress detail, however, is in some ways more extreme than we thought at the time we wrote the survey. For example, no specific countries of birth would be provided under the Bureau's proposal. Instead, we would only be able to identify continents of birth. The full report, including the details of the current Census Bureau plan, is posted at http://www.ipums.org/~census2000. As described in the report, we have proposed that the Bureau consider a more moderate approach to reduce the risk of disclosure. We believe that the proposed changes would severely compromise the social science and public policy infrastructure of the United States without materially reducing the risk to respondent confidentiality. No final decisions have been made, however, and the Bureau is actively seeking input from users. I feel confident that if we make our concerns known, the Bureau will moderate these cuts. Therefore I urge you to write to Kenneth Prewitt and Paula Schneider, the key executive staff at Census (addresses below). Your letter could go into detail about the kind of research these changes would preclude, but even a brief letter or email expressing your concern would be extremely valuable. We will send a powerful message about the value of the PUMS to user community if everyone who responded to the survey also sends a letter. Kenneth Prewitt, Director Bureau of the Census Federal Office Bldg. 3, Room 2049 4700 Silver Hill Road Suitland, Maryland 20233 kenneth.prewitt(a)ccmail.census.gov Paula J. Schneider Principal Associate Director for Programs Bureau of the Census Federal Office Bldg. 3, Room 2037 4700 Silver Hill Road Suitland, Maryland 20233 paula.a.schneider(a)ccmail.census.gov We would also appreciate it if you would send us a copy of your letter. Task Force on the 2000 PUMS Minnesota Population Center 537 Heller Hall 271 19th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55455 census2000(a)hist.umn.edu FAX: (612) 624-7096 I know this is a busy time of year for many of you, but speed is of the essence: key decisions may be made at any time. If we do not respond, we will have no right to complain later. Thank you for your help, and please feel free to forward this message to any individual or list you think might be interested. Yours, Steven Ruggles ruggles(a)hist.umn.edu Chair, ICPSR Census 2000 Advisory Committee Principal Investigator, IPUMS Project