Alumni Oral History Project

Requests for Alumni Updates and Stories

The UNC Alumni Association, in partnership with Publishing Concepts (PCI), is undertaking an exciting project to collect and record the memories and experiences of the growing UNC Alumni Bear Network. Beginning in Fall 2023 alumni will have the opportunity to share their favorite UNC memories to be recorded and produced for a digital and print publication sharing our collective university history.

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"We all have favorite stories from our time as UNC students. These college 'core memories' form a part of our alumni relationships with UNC. Sometimes our stories cross over and are shared with other alumni, sometimes they are unique to us. But what is constant is the fact that UNC's institutional story, and that of our alumni association, comes to life through our collective stories and experiences."

- Lyndsey Crum '05, Assistant VP Alumni & Community Relations

I received an email/postcard from a company asking me to verify my personal information and a story about UNC. Tell me more.

The UNC Alumni Association partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for UNC. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that previously published UNC alumni directories and works with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations across the U.S.

The project allows you to update your information with the UNC Alumni Association and share your personal UNC experience and memories. The postcard and email invite you to call PCI to verify your information, share your story and offer you the option to purchase the final Alumni Oral History publication.

Participation is completely voluntary and you may update your information and share your story without making a final purchase. You may also choose to update your information directly with us online.

Does UNC benefit from this project and my participation?

Yes, in a few different ways:

Updated Information - allowing us to effectively communicate with and engage our alumni community.
Legacy - sharing and collecting alumni stories preserves our university history.
Pride - alumni have a chance to purchase UNC apparel as part of the project and wearing your Bear gear shows support and love for our school.

How do I know my information will only be used for the Alumni Oral History Project purposes?

UNC and PCI are committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extend that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law.

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

If you received a postcard or email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated PCI representative working on the UNC Alumni Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at UNC. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to UNC.
If you received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated UNC PCI update line 1-866-477-2938.
If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

How do I participate if I am Deaf/Hard of Hearing?

If you would like to participate and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.

Do I have to make a purchase to participate?

No. Participation in the Alumni Oral History project is completely voluntary. After verifying your information and sharing your story, you will be offered an opportunity to purchase a copy of the Alumni Oral History publication and packaged UNC apparel. You do not have to make a purchase to participate.

The cost to purchase the publication and apparel covers PCI's cost to produce the final publication. The final publication will be printed later in 2024 after collection of alumni stories in 2023 and early 2024 are complete.

May I choose what information prints in the publication?

The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. When you call to update your information, it will only be used to update your alumni information with UNC. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before April 26, 2024, by contacting PCI's customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 or customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

You may call back at any time before April 26, 2024, to share your story.

I shared a story and the representative said that I could share a photo. How do I do this?

You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.

If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send a physical photo in to be printed. The photo will be returned to you if you included a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

Can anyone purchase a copy of the Alumni Oral History book?

The UNC Alumni Oral History publication is available for sale only to UNC alumni.

When will I receive my book?

The duration of the Alumni Oral History Project is 12-13 months. Since we began the project in October 2023, the books will be distributed in late November 2024.

I ordered a book/package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

Contact PCI's customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.