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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Steve Schulman left a legacy of community activism ... Growers whose pot plants span Layton Ditch in Williams say they'll work with forest group ... Man sentenced after bullet strikes Medford garage ... Steve Schulman left a legacy of community activism ... Growers whose pot plants span Layton Ditch in Williams say they'll work with forest group ... Man sentenced after bullet strikes Medford garage ... ROSEBURG SHOOTING Students, staff begin returning to UCC campus Comment By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press MailTribune.com By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 4:06 PM By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 4:06 PM » Social News ROSEBURG — Students embraced, held hands and wiped away tears Monday as they returned to an Oregon community college for the first time since a gunman killed eight students and a teacher. Classes do not resume until next week, but some students came to Umpua Community College to pick up belongings they left behind when they fled the shooting Thursday. Others met with professional groups to discuss their trauma and grief. A memorial was growing on the driveway leading to Snyder Hall, where 26-year-old Christopher Harper-Mercer executed nine people inside a classroom and wounded nine others. He killed himself after a shootout with police. "It was hard not to focus on Snyder Hall," student Joel Mitchell said. "When we got back, I think a lot of people were probably ... looking at it, checking it out, seeing what it looked like." A group of eight held hands and bowed their heads in prayer in front of the building. Elsewhere, clusters of people chatted at picnic tables or near buildings. In a courtyard near the center of campus, a therapy dog sat on a blanket with its handler. A woman, crouched down, wiped away a tear. At least one student injured in the shooting was among those who returned Monday, college President Rita Cavin said. She did not identify the student. Reporters were barred from campus but taken on a brief tour. School officials designated an outdoor amphitheater as a makeshift memorial, open only to staff and students for now. Flowers and balloons were positioned on tables, and markers were available for people to write messages on a banner that says, "UCC Strong." "I needed to be here," student Madysen Sanchez said. "I needed to come and see my friends, make sure they're OK." Chaplains who had been on campus said they were both helping with and participating in the healing process. "I'm going through the grieving process myself because this has touched everyone in the community," chaplain Russell Wilson said. "If you don't know someone that goes here, you know someone that knows someone." By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press MailTribune.com By JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press Posted Oct. 5, 2015 at 4:06 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501