World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
Previous/other names: N/A
Prominent date(s) of activity: c. 1956 - 1989
History: The WUSC was a worldwide voluntary organization with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, which enabled international students to study in Canada, conducted study tours for Canadian students in a variety of overseas countries, provided medical centers and university equipment to developing countries, and funded the "Treasure Van," a travelling bazaar selling and promoting the sale of international handicrafts in support of overseas market development.
In 1964 UNB-WUSC fell under scrutiny by members of the student population for collecting $1500 from the SRC annually (approximately $1 from each student) to pay for one student to travel to another country, all expenses paid. WUSC was asked to demonstrate their value to the campus before the next year's budget meeting, so that students would no longer need to question the value of student fees.
In 1971 WUSC accepted the role of Canadian Co-Ordinator for the United Nations Volunteer Program (UNV), with the responsibility of recruiting volunteers to spend two year periods in overseas countries. Locally, volunteer applications were received by Professor Constantine E. Passaris of the Department of Economics at UNB.
Activities: In 1965 the UNB-WUSC sponsored a "Slave Auction," auctioning off students and assorted faculty members to raise money for International Co-operation Year (1965 - set up by the United Nations). Together with donations from faculty members, and funds raised at UNB for books, education, food and mental facilities in under-priviledged countries, UNB donated in excess of fifteen hundred dollars through WUSC that year.
Note(s): The "Treasure Van" was sponsored by various church groups, YMCAs, the United Nations Association, Jaycees and others, but was discontinued in 1968 with the intention of focusing less on charity and more on domestic and international politics.
Source(s):
- UA Case 173.
- The Brunswickan, vol. 96, no. 11, 1963, p. 4.
- The Brunswickan, vol. 102, no. 3, 1968, p. 13.
- The Brunswickan, vol. 114, no. 27, 1980, p. 5.
- The Brunswickan, vol. 124, no. 8, 1989, p. 22.
© UNB Archives & Special Collections, 2014