SMU is offering two new digital tools to help monitor your health and protect the campus community: a daily COVID-19 symptom checker and a contact tracing log. Daily checks for virus symptoms and support of contact tracing are two important safety measures emphasized in SMU’s Pledge to Protect.
The Mustang Daily Symptom Checker is a quick survey that students, faculty or staff can use each day before leaving for class or work. If you aren’t feeling well, the survey will help you to determine if you are currently experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19.
After answering a few questions, the symptom checker will provide guidance on what to do next, based on your results. You should receive daily emails from the Symptom Checker, or go to smu.edu/covidcheck if you do not see them.
When you complete the survey and get a green checkmark, you are clear to go to campus. If you get a red X, the symptom checker will prompt you on next steps to take, which may include staying home and filling out a form to notify the University. Students will complete the Caring Community Connections (CCC) form and employees will fill out the faculty/staff COVID-19 reporting form.
The other tool, PathCheck, is a private location diary for your phone. This mobile app records where you have been in case you need the information to assist in contact tracing should you experience a positive COVID-19 test result.
SMU chose this app because it is a privacy-first design that started at MIT before transitioning into a non-profit foundation. PathCheck privately stores your location on your phone for 14 days. This location diary remains private unless you choose to share this information. Even then, the data will only be used once to assist in the contact tracing interview and then deleted.
To download, go to the Apple or Google store and search for PathCheck SafePlaces. SMU Office of Information Technology (OIT) has more information on how it works and how to set up your phone. If you have any questions, please contact the IT Help Desk at 214-768-HELP (4357) or email help@smu.edu.