Drake’s Vendor partners at Panopto will perform database maintenance on Saturday, April 12, beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting approximately 3 hours. During this time, Panopto will be unavailable. This work is necessary to improve the stability and capacity of the overall Panopto system.

If you experience issues after the maintenance is complete, contact the ITS Support Center for help by visiting service.drake.edu/its, calling 515-271-3001, or visiting the lower level of Carnegie Hall.

To see the full 2025 maintenance schedule, visit drake.edu/its/maintenanceschedule.

— Becky Klein, ITS

Drake Wellness is offering a range of relaxing yoga classes this May. See a list of dates and times below or visit the Drake Rec app.

In addition, aspiring fitness instructors are invited to an informational meeting on April 16 at 4 p.m. in the Bell Center Studio to learn about becoming a Group Fitness Instructor.

Yoga Nidra – May 8 and 12 at 6 p.m. – A relaxation and meditation practice that guides participants to a state of conscious relaxation, blurring the line between wakefulness and sleep. Practiced lying down, it involves systematic relaxation, breath awareness, and guided visualization to induce deep physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Sign up through the Drake Rec app.

NamasTea Yoga – May 9 at 12:15 p.m. – A session of yoga and a cup of tea to soothe your nerves before finals week. Sign up through the Drake Rec app.

— Gail Witte, Recreational Services

University Communications and Marketing will hold professional headshot sessions Friday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Old Main, Conference Room 115. The sessions are free to all students, faculty, and staff.

Visit the Drake University events calendar and select REGISTER to select a time for your photo.

High-resolution portraits are made available for download through SmugMug 3–6 weeks after the photos are taken. Images can be downloaded at https://drakeuniversity.smugmug.com/Headshots-1.

— Jimmy Hoover, University Communications and Marketing

The new season is here, and so are the vibrant spring arrivals at Bulldog Shop!

Check out these Colorful T-Shirts that are perfect for relaxing in the sunshine. Available in a variety of fun and vibrant colors like turquoise, mint, rose, heather, and lavender! Shop in-store or online now and add some new Drake spring favorites to your closet today.

— Bulldog Shop

This April brings a literary treat,
With poems and books, both can’t be beat!
It’s National Poetry Month so let’s celebrate,
With rhymes and stories that captivate!

For bookish hearts and poets, too,
We’ve got the perfect reads for you.
Come browse in person, or click online,
A book, a poem – your perfect find.

National Poetry Month – Immerse yourself in the power of poetry with a curated collection featuring classic and contemporary poets. Explore diverse voices, styles, and themes that bring language to life.
Books About Books (Early April) – Dive into stories where libraries, bookstores, and book lovers take center stage! Our selection includes fiction and nonfiction that celebrate the magic of books and the people who cherish them.

Stop by, get inspired, and discover your next favorite read at Cowles Library!

—Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Join the Disability Coalition for its third annual Disability Awareness Week from April 7–12. From a panel on the connections between mental and physical health, to a student-led presentation on how Drake can best support disabled students, to trivia and resources in the Olmsted Breezeway—there’s something for everyone in this week dedicated to accessibility and advocacy.

Professional captioning will be available at the events on April 7 and 9. Contact disabilitycoalition@drake.edu with any questions or additional accommodation requests.

— Morgan Ryan, AS

The Drake Relays brings thousands of athletes, alumni, and guests to campus. As a reminder, parking and travel on and around campus will be impacted Saturday, April 19, through Saturday, April 26.

It is highly recommended that if you are coming to campus from off grounds, that you use public transportation, if possible.  If you do plan on driving, give yourself plenty of time to find parking.  Please remember that cars that are parked on the grass, illegally in handicap spaces, or blocking operations will be towed without notice.

All valid residential and commuter permits will be honored on Thursday, April 24, and until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25.  Only residential permits are valid in residential lots and commuter permits in commuter lots, unless posted otherwise.  Please note that the Olmsted and Ray Promenade lot still require the correct permit color to park in those lots before 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 19– Sunday, April 27 – Lot 17 (Facilities Lot) will be closed/no parking allowed

Wednesday, April 23 at 10 a.m. – Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m. – Forest Avenue will be fully closed from 27^th Street to 29^th Street and will allow for only limited access from 24^th to 27^th Streets and from 29^th to 31^st Streets. No street parking is allowed along Forest Avenue.

Wednesday, April 23 – Saturday, April 26 – 27^th Street will be intermittently closed between Forest Avenue and Clarke Street.

Wednesday, April 23 – Saturday, April 26 – Lot 18 S (Studio Arts) will be closed/no parking allowed

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services