Oregon Governor Kate Brown greeted students returning to Umpqua Community College in Roseburg Monday morning. It was the first day of classes since the October 1st campus shooting that left 10 people dead.
Hundreds of Roseburg residents lined the road to the college, waving American flags and signs offering encouragement and support.
Governor Brown and college president Rita Cavin spoke with students as they headed to class. Standing before a fountain on campus, Brown noted the community was rallying to help.
Kate Brown: "This is a very strong and resilient community, and they will provide the support that these students need to move forward and begin the healing process.'
Grief counselors are offering services to students and staff. President Cavin said some students told her they were staying away from campus until the media presence diminishes.
Rita Cavin: "So some of them are just holding back and waiting for the campus to look like the campus they left. And the sooner we can make this campus look more like the campus they came to at the beginning of the school year, the better that’s going to be."
Snyder Hall, where the shooting took place, remains largely draped in the black tarps placed there to shield it from sight in the wake of the incident.
