As highlighted earlier this year in OnCampus, Drake University continues working closely with the City of Des Moines to enhance pedestrian safety in and around campus. These efforts are an important step toward creating a safer and more walkable environment for everyone.

With the change in weather, we expect to see an increase in people walking, running, and biking across campus. We ask all community members—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—to stay alert, follow posted traffic rules, and share campus pathways responsibly.

Key Safety Updates and Reminders

Reduced Speed on Forest Avenue

To promote safety along one of the busiest corridors near campus, the speed limit on Forest Avenue has been reduced to 30 mph. In addition, no parking is permitted on either side of Forest Avenue from 31st Street to 25th Street. These changes help improve visibility and reduce risks for pedestrians crossing or traveling near the roadway.  Even with these changes, we ask all drivers to be vigilant and pay extra attention in this area.

Sidewalk Access Restricted to Pedestrians

To further support a pedestrian‑friendly campus, we remind everyone that private vehicles are not allowed on University sidewalks at any time. The only exceptions include:

• Emergency response vehicles
• Approved clearly marked University vehicles
• Vehicles that have received prior approval from Drake Public Safety

Any private vehicle—including contractor vehicles—parked on sidewalks or pedestrian pathways are subject to ticketing and towing without notice. These restrictions protect pedestrian safety, prevent damage to walkways, and help preserve campus green spaces.

Everyone Plays a Part

Creating a safe campus environment requires cooperation from all members of our community. Whether you are driving, biking, or walking, please remain aware of your surroundings and follow posted signs and regulations.

Together, we can continue making Drake’s campus a safer, more welcoming place for everyone.

— Scott Law, Executive Director, Public Safety & Operational Services

April is here, and that means Griff is off to the races!

Each month, we release a new limited-edition Griff design so you can build your collection all year long. Collect all 12 designs, and you will unlock a bonus exclusive at the end of the year.

Spring into April with the Drake Relays inspired Griff t-shirt. Built for speed and school spirit, this design is the perfect way to rep the Bulldogs during one of the biggest events of the season.

Collect them all!

— Bulldog Shop

Are you interested in keeping up to date with sustainability on campus? Sign up to receive the monthly Sustainability Newsletter.

Here you can see March’s newsletter.

Here you can see February’s newsletter.

Email sustainability@drake.edu if you have any questions or have an event you want to spotlight in the newsletter.

— Sydney Dvorak, Sustainability Coordinator

Please join us for a special celebration of faculty research and academic achievement on Thursday, April 9, from 4–5:30 p.m. in the Cowles Reading Room. Faculty who submitted their recent publications will be featured on a rolling slide show, and their physical publications may be displayed. Please join us to celebrate the incredible contributions of our faculty.

Refreshments will include an assortment of light snacks and beverages.

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Some clutter is easy to overlook, especially the kind hiding on our devices or in desk drawers. Spring is a great time to clear out those forgotten spaces. To protect sensitive and personal information, start by reviewing your computer’s Downloads folder, which often becomes a catch-all for files you only need once. Delete old downloads, especially any containing private or confidential data, and move important files to intentional, secure folders with appropriate “share” settings. After deleting, remember to actually empty your computer’s recycle bin or trash to ensure those files are permanently removed. This not only makes your computer easier to navigate (and helps with performance) but also helps prevent accidental exposure of sensitive information. For more tips and guidance, check out our new Knowledge Base article: Spring Cleaning for Digital Security. 

Spring cleaning season is also a good time to shred outdated physical paperwork, especially anything containing personal or sensitive information. Always follow University security best practices by securely destroying documents that contain data such as student records, financial information, or passwords. If a document is already stored securely online (using encrypted platforms like OneDrive or Teams), consider whether you really need a hard copy, and make sure your digital files are protected with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Finally, take a moment to reflect on what you actually use. Letting go of files, documents, and materials you haven’t touched in months can help reduce clutter (both digital and physical) and make your everyday work a little smoother. Regularly reviewing and removing unnecessary information from your devices and workspaces is an important part of maintaining security and safeguarding the sensitive data you have access to.

— Becky Klein, ITS

Visit any ten businesses in Dogtown in April, get your passport “validated” at each place, and get a free Dogtown T-shirt at Nos Books (limit one per person, while supplies last). Passports can be found at Lucky Horse, Dough Co, Shelf Love, Mars, Nos Books, and other area businesses.

A good community can feel like traveling the world while only going a few blocks. In Dogtown you can enjoy food from Mexico to Africa, hear music from the latest rock to ancient spirituals, and go wherever your imagination takes you through a book or a film. It’s all here.

Turn in your completed passport for a free T-shirt at Nos Books during their normal operating hours (except April 25).

Plus, this passport has special offers and exclusive deals. See the world without leaving Des Moines.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

Join us for the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS) on the afternoon of Thursday, April 16.

DUCURS is an annual event that celebrates faculty-mentored student research across STEM disciplines. Students are invited to submit abstracts for poster and oral presentations by April 3. This is an excellent opportunity to share research, gain presentation experience, and engage with peers, faculty, and the broader scientific community. Learn more about DUCURS in this video, and visit the DUSCI website for details on abstract submission, conference registration, and the full schedule.

DUCURS 2026 will feature student-faculty collaborative research presentations, along with opportunities to connect at community partner tables, where local organizations will share information about internships, experiential learning opportunities, and STEM career pathways. The conference will also include a keynote lecture “Maternal Antibodies Protect Infants from Enteric Pathogens,” delivered by Drake alumna Dr. Kathryn Knoop (AS ’06), Associate Professor of Immunology at the Mayo Clinic.

All members of the Drake community are invited to attend DUCURS and celebrate student scholarship.

— Heidi Sleister, Professor of Biology

The Iowa Character Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, and communities who exemplify integrity, leadership, responsibility, and service. Each year, we shine a light on Iowans who make a meaningful difference through their commitment to strong character and positive impact.

You can help ensure the role models in your life receive the recognition they deserve. A thoughtful nomination makes a lasting impact; your words help us understand the values, leadership, and influence of those you are recommending.

Nominations are open to anyone and must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Learn more and submit a nomination at: IowaCharacterAwards.org.

— Samantha Hilbert, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

The 2026 Harkin Retirement Security Symposium will focus on a broader financial wellness theme supported by panels along the continuum of retirement security policy issues. The speakers will discuss policies supporting retirement savings access and accumulation, navigating Social Security and Medicare, and the intergenerational impacts of these programs, access to retirement planning, retirement income decisions, and long-term care policies and supports. The symposium is a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual options for attendance, and will be available for free on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel after the event.

Register here

Cost
There is no cost to attend in person or online, but a donation is encouraged and greatly appreciated to help continue this important work.

Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) and live captions in English will be available for all attendees.

If you have any questions regarding accommodations please contact us at harkininstitute@drake.edu.

Parking
In-person attendees will be able to park in lot 24, next to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center. More information about obtaining a vistor parking pass will be sent to registered attendees before the event.

Attend in-person or online
This is a hybrid event. Attendees have the choice to attend in-person at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, or virtually.

The in-person event will take place at Parents Hall in the Olmsted Center at Drake. Lunch will be provided.

Online attendees will watch a livestream and will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A.

Learn more and register here.

— The Harkin Institute