Historically, Latinos at have not had the biggest presence for most of the 1900’s. Rutgers University has held to that same trend. In reaction to this, once the population of Latino students began to grow in the 60’s and 70’s, organizations like Rutgers Union Estudiantil Puertorriquena and Latinos Unidos En Poder were created to combat issues of lackluster representation and recruitment of Latinos. As time progressed, various organizations were created at this school to deal with differing areas of Latino life, including Latino Greek lettered organizations and an overarching council for Latino organizations. However, the issue of recruitment, retention and promotion of Latino males remained a topic left largely unaddressed by these venues.

In the summer of 2002, Alex Sardinas, an EOF summer preceptor at the time, was talking to Jose “Joey” Laureano, about creating a group for Latino males in EOF that would address these issues. The original idea was for this group to be exclusively for EOF students, and it would function somewhat like its inspiration, Black Men’s Collective – as an informal support group for students of the same culture. Alex felt that this effort would function better as a fully-fledged student organization, so as to use the benefits of being an actual organization entity to benefit best its target audience. Alex then tapped Joseph Hernandez, Christopher Paige, and Enmanuel Veloz, student leaders from other organizations, to create the foundation of this organization. After much dialogue, this organization received its name – Society of Latin American Men or SLAM. This name was chosen to emphasize that this issue of retention and recruitment was so important that it transcended nationality within the Latino community at Rutgers University. The symbol of the fist represents the force that was and is needed to break through the obstacles in the way of academic success of the Latino male Rutgers student. The colors in the symbol were ways to illustrate the blood shed for freedom, which is how we were able to have to right to have an education (the red); how we are the hope for tomorrow our ancestors and families, thus like rays of the sun (the yellow); and that as representatives of all Latinos, the combination of all colors of Latinos culture (the black). The fist of the symbol represents the personal and collective struggle to survive that happens daily in all facets of life as Latinos. These symbols are reminders of this organization’s purpose and goals, and the importance of these goals.

The four founders had to take on the task of assembling an e-board. This executive board came to be comprised of members of various student organizations and fraternities, as well as representatives from each campus of Rutgers University New Brunswick (except Douglass, the women’s college at the University). The first year proved to be as adventurous as it was a learning experience. Many things changed, but one thing that remained the same was the purpose of the organization was and always will be to promote the retention and promotion of Latino men. Some of the accomplishments of the first year were the creation of what look to be our annual events, which are the Benefit Coffehouse, which raises money for area families during the holidays) and the Mr. And Ms. SLAM pageant, where contestants compete to be chosen as the ideal male and female representative of our organization for the year. During the second year, we became more adventurous, even receiving requests to create new charters in other schools. We also had the landmark of having our first female executive board member, Mariana Rivera. As we look to the future from this vantage point at the beginning of the third year of the existence of Society of Latin American Men, tomorrow looks bright as we continue to work toward the goals of our foundation.

Founding Executive Board 2002 –2003

President - Alex Sardinas
Vice President - Enmanuel Veloz
Treasurer - Christopher Paige (fall semester)
Juan Ricourt (spring semester)
Secretary - Joseph Hernandez
Social/Cultural Chair - Marvin Martinez
Political Chair - Adam Diaz (fall semester)
Juan Ricourt (fall & spring semesters)
Fundraising Chair - Na’ati Akaoula (fall semester)
Education Chair - Rafael Inoa (fall semester)
Engelbert Santana (fall & spring semester)
Community Service - Michael Perez
Parliamentarian - Daniel Daza
Historian - Will Rivas
Public Relations - Angel Rodriguez

This is our fourth year as an organization at Rutgers University trying to further and better the Latino Culture by producing successful Latinos...but success sees no race, culture, or nationality so we do not discriminate against anyone...all are welcomed. If anyone out there can help to keep this organization going, sponsorship is much appreciated. It is a Rutgers organization dedicated to the intellectual intelligence and support of all Latinos at Rutgers as well as its surroundings. It`s not just any organization...we take this personally. Our members - NO, OUR FAMILY is the most important factor of S.L.A.M., not just popularity. Being that our family is most important, we make sure that they are taken care of. How?? Well, we will make sure our family succeeds in college by guiding fellow members of the same major/minor, and, basically, help out in any way we can. One of our goals is to better the Latino culture, the male culture as a whole. We do community service, we speak on political, social, etc. issues concerning the Latino community (as well as other surrounding comminities), we establish friendships, we network, and, certainly not the least, we will throw social affairs, have formal affairs, and much more...We will reach out to our communities and those that surround us to try to show the importance of college and make something of yourself. We are trying to be, in a way, like a big brother and a friend to many younger than us- to try and guide them in the best fitting direction. It`s not a fraternity so there is no hazing or rituals involved to become part of S.L.A.M....we keep it clean, we keep it real! We stay tight...we are FAMILY.