Media Tips for Activist Groups
Sample Provost Letter

Provost __[firstname lastname]

Office of the Provost 

__[address]

__[date]

Provost __[firstname],

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 during the spring semester of 2020, universities across the country have sought technical remedies to the pandemic to permit a safer return to campus. While we commend investment in public health, requiring these new tools creates unnecessary risks to the privacy of students, faculty, and staff. That is why we are calling on __[school] to implement any new COVID-tracking technology as transparently as possible, sharing with the community how these apps or devices work and how information collected will be handled. Most importantly, these new programs must be fully voluntary for individuals visiting, working, or living in university buildings.

The technologies being employed at different campuses range greatly in their capacity to gather extremely sensitive information such as biometric data, precise location data using GPS, sensitive medical data, and even metadata revealing other details about how people use their personal devices. Furthermore, with any rapid deployment of a new technology, there lies the inherent risk that underlying bugs can be exploited to undermine any planned data collection and security protocols. Mandating the collection of such sensitive information can adversely impact students and workers, particularly those who already face a higher threat of surveillance or for whom the sharing of this data puts them at an elevated risk. 

The University seeks to stop community transmission of COVID-19. This requires trust. By adhering to the University App Mandate Pledge, you will be able to ameliorate potential concerns about privacy surrounding __[“these new programs” OR current University App name] and foster a greater sense of trust among the administration, public health workers, and the campus community.

Insert or adapt one or more of the following options: 

Option a) if the school has a mandate

We ask that __[school name] immediately announce that their current programs will be strictly voluntary, and will adhere to the guidelines of the University App Mandate Pledge (UAMP). [If Applicable] We also ask that __[school name] make public any contract with third-party vendors [such as __CURRENT VENDOR], especially as it pertains to the agreed upon privacy policy. Finally we also ask that __[school name] develop easy to understand and accessible materials explaining precisely how their COVID tracking app works, what precautions are taken to protect data, who has access to collected data, and when it is deleted.

Option b) if the school does not have a mandate but has implemented an app or similar program 

We ask that __ [school name] publicly affirm that it will not implement a mandate, and will adhere to the guidelines of the  University App Mandate Pledge (UAMP). [If Applicable] We also ask that [school name] make public any contract with third-party vendors [such as __CURRENT VENDOR], especially as it pertains to the agreed upon privacy policy. Finally we also ask that __[school name] develop easy to understand and accessible materials explaining precisely how their COVID tracking app works, what precautions are taken to protect data, who has access to collected data, and when it is deleted.

Option c) if the school has not yet disclosed any plans or mandates

We ask that __[school name] publicly affirm that it will not implement a mandate for tracking apps or devices in response to the current pandemic, and will adhere to the guidelines of the  University App Mandate Pledge (UAMP) should it choose to implement these new technologies in the future. We also ask that any consideration of such apps or devices in the future  be made publicly and with opportunities for community feedback.

As a pillar of our community, __[school name] must lead by example, and make any technology-assisted public health programs optional, and ensure the potential privacy risks are communicated clearly with the public. Community trust in these public health efforts is essential to their efficacy, and this trust can only be earned— not enforced. We strongly urge __[school name] to stand in solidarity with students, faculty, and staff by protecting their privacy.

Sincerely,

__ [group name]

__ contact information]