Association International des Étudiants en Science Économique et Commerciales (AIESEC)

Name: Association International des Étudiants en Science Économique et Commerciales/International Association for Students of Economics and Commerce (AIESEC)

Previous/other names: UNB-AIESEC

Prominent date(s) of activity: 1983 - 2002

History: One of the largest student managed, non-profit, apolitical organizations in the world, AIESEC was founded in Europe in 1948, and spread to 800 universities in 85 countries, offering its members the opportunity to work during the summer or after graduation in any of its member countries through the AIESEC International Trainee Exchange Program. AIESEC members paid a $400 administration fee, plus a $15 registration fee to be put on a list of available interns, from which employers around the globe could select eligable candidates. Intern opportunities fell within four employment pools: management, development, technical, and education. Only the development positions were primarily unpaid, and generally located in developing countries. The administration fee went towards organizing the exchange, preparing the interns for reduced "culture shock", providing guidence throughout the experience, and handling of documentation for the trip.

In 2002 the Fredericton chapter was forced to close due to fluctuation in the market economy, with many companies no longer able to fund intern programs. Only two out of seven Atlantic Canadian chapters remained open.

An attempt was made in 2005 to re-establish an AIESEC chapter at UNB, but the club was not able to meet two of the guidelines laid out in the new clubs and societies policy. According to AIESEC standards, presidential positions needed to be hand selected rather than elected, and the fiscal year could not be made to line up with the Student Union academic calendar.

'Activities': UNB-AIESEC organized career days, conferences, seminars, business luncheons, special projects, "roadtrips," and parties.

Note(s): In 1996, UNB-AIESEC won an award for "Outstanding Contribution to the National Association in the Area of Partnership Building and External Positioning" after participating in the National Congress in Quebec City.

In 2001, AIESEC's UNB branch was asked to vacate their office in the university's Student Union Building. The UNB Student Council received a recommendation from the Clubs and Societies Committee that the membership-driven club, which was not directly related to Student Union services, not be given preferential treatment over the other 70 clubs on campus. The club's president, Gregory Smith, received the eviction notice without any prior warning or discussion from the Council. He hoped that the recommended eviction would not take place, because no other plans were being made for the space, and because the group needed an office with a telephone in order to conduct their business. The group had previously been evicted from their office in the SUB in 1993, seeking temporary refuge in the basement of the Neville Homestead. During the upheavel the group was forced to cancel certain events, and were only able to put on their annual Career Day because they were granted temporary lodging from which to plan and make arrangements.

Source(s):

• UA Case 173.
• Up the Hill, 1996, p. 119.
• The Brunswickan, vol. 129, no. 2, September 1994, p. 3.
• The Brunswickan, vol. 134, no. 22, March 2001, p. 3.
• The Brunswickan, vol. 139, no. 7, 2005, p. 2.

© UNB Archives & Special Collections, 2013