Program name change

Grand Valley State University’s area studies program will change its name to area and global studies with the recent launch of a new major. The goal of the name change is to mirror the growth of the department and the university’s emphasis on comprehensive learning. The global studies and social impact program was approved in April. Students will study global issues like immigration and climate change.

Area and global studies coordinates seven other programs in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies: African and African American studies, Chinese studies, East Asian studies, global studies and social impact, Latin American and Latino/a studies and Middle East studies. Visit www.gvsu.edu/areastudies for more information.

Hauenstein Center Discussion

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is partnering with the Hauenstein Center to host a discussion with Constitutional expert Akhil Reed Amar. The event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 14 in the Loosemore Auditorium. Amar will talk about topics such as gun control, affirmative action, gay marriage and the Affordable Care Act and the opposing views surrounding them.

He will also discuss his new book, “The Constitution Today: Timeless Lessons for the Issues of Our Era.” The event will begin at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Seating is limited and those interested should reserve seating ahead of time. Registration is available online at www.gvsu.edu/hcevents.

Conference at DeVos Center

The Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research Center annual conference will be held Sept. 22-23 at the DeVos Center. MIPERC is an association housed at Grand Valley State University and is composed of health care professionals throughout the Midwest. Speakers for the conference include national experts such as: Nancy Schlichting, Stephen Schoenbaum, Josiah Macy Jr., Barbara Brandt and Gerri Lamb.

The deadline to register is Saturday, Sept. 17 and costs $100 for both days or $50 for one day. Educational credits are available for physicians, nurses, physician assistants and pharmacists. For more information or to register, visit www.gvsu.edu/miperc.

West Michigan Drug Talk

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) will sponsor an event to address and evaluate the use of drugs in West Michigan Tuesday, Sept. 13. FAN is an organization whose goal is to reach out to those whose lives have been affected by drug use.

Speaker Phil Pavona will share his experience on the topic and discuss the idea of how drug use is both an individual and social problem. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussion and learn about the effects of narcotics. The event will take place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Grand River Room in the Kirkhof Center. The discussion is LIB 100 approved for Grand Valley State University students.

Financial Class

SBDC West Michigan will host a financial class Tuesday, Sept. 13 in the L. William Seidman Center at 6 p.m. The course will introduce basic accounting concepts and how to apply financial information that helps small business owners manage a business more effectively. Key financial documents will be explained center around using specific small business examples. The course is designed to help entrepreneurs understand accounting principles and financial statements to work more effectively with an accounting team. Contact SBDC West Michigan at (616) 331-7370 to register for free.