Oral History Project

in partnership With PCI, Inc.

Update from PCI, January, 2023

First, let me thank you for your support of The City College of New York Oral History Project. We are extraordinarily proud of this endeavor and are grateful that the Alumni Association of the City College of New York has trusted us with this important project.

I’d like to sincerely apologize for your wait in receiving your hardbound publication. As you may be aware, there is a nationwide paper shortage that has severely affected our nation's printers and their ability to produce publications, especially those with unique paper sizes and large runs. This paper shortage is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 30-plus years in this business (and one I hope to never see again).

We now have the necessary paper materials to complete the printing and we intend to ship your publication out to you before the end of February 2023.

We here at PCI greatly appreciate your understanding and patience. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly to answer your questions you may have. Our Client Experience team can be reached at 1-800-982-1590 or by email at customerservice@publishingconcepts.com

Sincerely,
Drew Clancy
President, PCI

About The Project

Every CCNY alumnus/a has a story, and the Alumni Association of CCNY wants to hear yours. However, with over 100,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each of you individually. That is why we’ve decided to embark on a new oral history project to collect the stories of alumni like you in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact City College has had on your lives and who you are today. Every year we do not capture and preserve these stories feels like another opportunity lost, so we’re excited to get started today. The PCI team will collect stories until April 23, 2021. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in Fall 2021.

Contact Information Updates

As part of this project, we are also taking this opportunity to help make it easier for you to stay connected to City College and the Alumni Association. PCI will help us collect updated contact information from those of you who may have moved and inadvertently lost touch with your alma mater.

Your Story

So, what CCNY memory will you tell?

Did a special faculty or staff member have a profound impact on your life?

Did you find your sweetheart at CCNY?

Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?

Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?

Were you on campus during a historical moment?

Do you have a memorable moment with Raymond the Bagelman?

Do you have stories to tell from your house plan experience?

PCI Partnership

With our limited resources, we would never be able to tackle a project like this. By partnering with PCI, we are able to access their trained staff of real, live human beings who are excited to listen to what you have to share. PCI will also help collect and assemble the stories into the book that we can share with all alumni. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

What’s Next?

You will be receiving email and postcard communications from the PCI team with instructions on how to participate. We would like to invite you to share one of your stories with us and take part in this first of its kind project to honor the experiences and voices of our alumni. The PCI team will collect stories until April 23, 2021. After that, they will enter a post-production phase editing the data. We hope to have the book distributed in Fall 2021. We look forward to hearing from each one of you regarding your memories of this school we love so dearly!

FAQ

We understand you may have questions regarding the Oral History Project. Please review the frequently asked questions below. After reviewing these questions/answers, if you do have follow-up questions, please reach out to PCI customer service desk at 1-800-982-1590 or the Alumni Association at membership@ccnyalumni.org, 212-234-3000.

  1. I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about The City College of New York. Is this a legitimate project or is it a scam?

    2. It is legit! We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History Publication for the Alumni Association of The City College of New York. PCI is a family owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for almost 100 years. This project allows the Alumni Association of The City College of New York to hear about your personal experiences and explain how The City College of New York has helped shape your lives.

  2. Does the Alumni Association of The City College of New York benefit from this at all?

    3. Yes, in a few different ways:

    a. Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni

    b. Legacy – preserves the history of our school through your personal stories

    c. Revenue – generates non-dues revenue for alumni programming and operations

    d. Pride – sharing the CCNY story and wearing CCNY apparel shows support and love for our school

  3. Do I Have to Buy Something?

    4. No. This project is being done at NO COST to the Alumni Association of CCNY. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase book that will be produced at the end of the project. Various book packages will be offered. PCI will also offer you the option to purchase other CCNY Alumni branded merchandise such as a blanket and pullover, as well as an Alumni Association membership. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not required to do so to participate in the project or order the book. Again, we would never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

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

    5. PCI is 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 extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable information) from all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Oral History Project.

  5. I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?
    • If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at The City College of New York. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to the Alumni Association of The City College of New York at the conclusion of the project.
    • If you have 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 Alumni Association of The City College of New York update line at 1-888-920-1769.
  6. Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

    7. When you call to update your information, you can tell the representative if you prefer any of your information be excluded. You can also communicate your preferences to PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.

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

    8. You can call back at any time to share your story.

  8. I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?

    9. You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions

    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 physical photos in to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

  9. I would like to add / remove info from my story.

    10. You will receive an email prior to publication with a link to review your transcribed story and make any edits.

  10. Can anyone purchase a book?

    11. The City College of New York Oral History Publication is available for sale only to City College of New York alumni.

  11. When will I receive my book?

    12. The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12 months. Since we began the project in October of 2020, the books will be distributed in October/November of 2021.

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

    13. Contact PCI’s customer service help desk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com and they will take care of this for you.