April 13, 2021 3:40 a.m.

Umpqua Community College President Dr. Debra Thatcher says “…the arts are not going away” and that community members have been heard.

A release said that recently “a well-intentioned but inaccurate message was circulated in the community suggesting that music and theatre were being terminated at Umpqua Community College”.

Thatcher said in response, her office received many very impassioned messages about the importance of the arts, from members of the community.

The release said the arts are an important part of UCC’s mission to enrich communities. It said the desire is to re-establish the college as a center for the arts in Douglas County.

Thatcher said discussions are underway regarding how to respond to the enrollment challenges in a number of programs and courses, including those in music and theatre. Thatcher said the school is in the midst of a series of meetings about music and theatre, and the message sent to community members was “premature and presumptive”. Thatcher said more discussion and planning meetings are in the works. She said the decision-making process is being slowed down with the aim being to now make a decision by December.

Thatcher will give an overall update on the college Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. on Inside Douglas County on News Radio 1240 KQEN.