Foward

Like a dense fog, S.A.L.S.A.'s past has remained a clouded mystery to all those who have attempted to determine its birth and its growth. There have been tremendous inquiries and explorations into S.A.L.S.A.'s lineage that have led to countless dead-ends and pitfalls. The material available is, if you have already guessed, extremely scarce. Records were not kept, leaving the researcher with only bits-n-pieces to work with. It can be assumed that the only way to solve this clouded mystery is to locate the founders, themselves. Only they have the pleasure of knowing the real truth. I would only hope that they - now grown with spouses, children and even grandchildren - have not forgotten their group that was created out of necessity. And, for me, it is a blessing to know that in the year of our lord 2002, S.A.L.S.A. still remains at the university.

The history that you will read is brief, and thus falls short of the great span of the life of the organization at the U of R. Never-the-less, it is a start. It was written by Rosa Rivera in 1994 - then the Social Manager - in an attempt to cut through the fog. She will point out several important dates, and bring to life the persons who have lent a hand in S.A.L.S.A.'s growth. From the expansion of Tropicana to one week to the organization's pivotal role in helping to diversify the UR curriculum, Ms Rivera shows us how S.A.L.S.A. has rooted itself into UR History. Her effort has at least given us something in stone and lends us a starting point to continue the search into the life of one of the greatest and enduring multicultural groups at the University of Rochester.

 

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