Posting this just to vent a bit. I moved my child into their first year of college last week. We just received a new addition to all of the original rules put into place prior to her moving in. While I am against them on principal, I left it up to them to make the final choice which they decided on following the original set of rules. I DO NOT want my child to follow the new policy, which potentially includes installation of a contact tracing app.

Would like to get some others opinions. Thanks.

Text of email:

Subject: Update on COVID app and testing

Dear Student,

This year, we find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic. We know that this has had a real impact on your lives, and that you are willing to do what it takes to have a successful semester on campus. University Health Services is committed to the health and safety of our students and to creating a partnership with you to help you to achieve your goals.

During this public health emergency, the University, in close partnership with the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Health Departments, will strive to identify positive cases on campus and notify close contacts, while protecting the individual's privacy as much as possible.

We know that face masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing all help prevent transmission of COVID-19 on campus. Not being around others when you are sick is a great way to show how much you care.

UHS believes in empowering students to help keep our campus safer, and keep our classrooms open for face to face learning, by offering partnership with you on the following strategies:

1. Contact tracing - Using an innovative app developed for our community known as UC COVID Check. By using this app, you will help UHS identify "hot spots" on campus and respond more quickly to help contain a possible outbreak.

Additional information on how to download the app is forthcoming. You will be able to quickly register and answer a few quick questions every day. If you get a "green light" daily pass, you are free to move about campus and attend in person classes and activities.

If you get a "red light", you will not be able to attend any in person activities and will be contacted by a member of our case support team who will provide additional information and ask a few brief questions to help protect the people around you.

All data will be de-identified, except to those who have a legitimate cause to know, for example housing and UHS.

This app does not use Bluetooth proximity notifications nor GPS tracking. Locations will be identified by the individual when they speak with a contact tracer.

Student participation in UC COVID Check is required in order for this important tool to work well. There will be checkers at the entrances to the dining halls, rec center, and libraries who will want to see that green light before you are admitted.

2. Random sample testing - We know that many people may be infected with COVID without having any symptoms. They may feel perfectly fine, but still be able to transmit the virus to others.

To prevent the virus from surging to dangerously high levels on campus, we will be offering random sample testing at no cost to students, that can help us better keep our campus safer.

Details will be forthcoming soon, including options for opting out of testing.

Thank you in advance for your partnership in this important public health endeavor.

Kim L. Miller MD Executive Director, University Health Services Associate Professor of Medicine, Dept of Family Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Pronouns: she/her/hers

(NOTE: I did not add the last line of she/her/hers. That is how the email ended)