Section I

1.1 WHEREAS one week ago, on Thursday, October 1, 2015, a horrific shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon (70 miles to the south of the University of Oregon) resulted in the deaths of one faculty member, eight students, and the shooter, who was a UCC student [Please see “Background” below.];

1.2 WHEREAS we have a history of experiencing serious incidents of violence in the Eugene-Springfield community, such as the Thurston High School shooting on Thursday, May 21, 1998, as well as other violent behaviors, such as sexual violence in our university community, and other reprehensible forms of aggression and assault;

1.3 WHEREAS, regrettably, these deplorable events are not being covered by the media nor discussed in public forums in an ongoing, substantive manner that will lead to meaningful action to prevent violence in our schools and in our learning communities;

Section II

2.1 THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED that the University of Oregon Senate offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the survivors of the UCC shooting and to all those whose lives have been directly affected by this tragedy;

2.2 BE IT MOVED that the University of Oregon Senate expresses its gratitude to University President Michael Schill for his quick and compassionate response to the shooting, in particular, by offering support to the families of the victims and to the survivors through University of Oregon services on an ongoing basis [Please see President Schill’s letter under “Background” below.];

2.3 BE IT MOVED that the University of Oregon Senate encourages President Schill to continue to offer services to the families of the victims and to the survivors of the UCC shooting for a considerable period into the future, since the healing process is lengthy and continuing support by institutions that have professional resources is essential and greatly needed;

2.4 BE IT MOVED that the University of Oregon Senate charges Immediate Past President Robert Kyr to pursue effective vehicles for ongoing substantive discussion and meaningful action regarding the urgent topics covered above, in particular, through the offices that he currently holds in the Oregon Interinstitutional Faculty Senate (IFS) and the PAC12 Academic Leadership Coalition, and through engaging the UO Senate in the process of addressing these crucial matters for our university community, as appropriate.