Umpqua Community College President Rita Cavin held a press conference on Oct. 5 to update the public on the university’s plans to move forward from the shooting that took place on campus last week.
The UCC campus re-opened today, but classes are not expected to resume until next week. Students are now able to return to their classrooms to collect what they left behind during the evacuation.
“I’m sure that we will be back and ready to be what we need to be by Monday. Maybe not by Tuesday, maybe not by Wednesday, but by Monday we’ll be ready to go,” Cavin said.
Dr. Christine Seals spoke on behalf of Umpqua Health Alliance, which is one of several groups that are involved in efforts to assist the community.  Seals said that one of her children is a student at UCC. Through the rest of this week, the organization will be providing services including meeting with individuals to talk over their reactions.
Support has come from all corners of the community. Cavins said that a group of the campus neighbors had arranged for therapy dogs to provide comfort for individuals.
Seals emphasized the need for the community to continue working together to heal.
“Alone, like a single pencil, we can be broken. Together, like a bunch of pencils, we are strong. Our student and faculty, today, are stronger as they come together and share,” she said.
Jan Woodcock, a UCC professor, also spoke of her experience during the shooting and delivered a message composed by UCC faculty to the community and the nine victims of the shooting.
“Your lives have gone far from our classrooms now, your names are known by millions, we celebrate the light you have brought to our world. As your dreams take flight with you now, know that they will also live on in us, and with all of those you love you. We carry you with us always, your facility,” Woodcock said.  
Students will plan a vigil to give time for the families of the victims to say goodbye, Carvin said.