An old phrase reads, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

If the plans of school officials work out, there will be plenty of beholders on the NIU campus soon. The construction surrounding Cole Hall should be completed soon and Altgeld Hall, the intricately-designed castle, is scheduled to be open by September.

The work being done between Neptune and Cole is phase two of NIU’s Storm Water Improvement Project, an $8.5 million endeavor designed to improve campus problems. One reason was because Watson Creek’s ecosystem had become unbalanced, making it difficult for wildlife to exist comfortably. The wildlife was moved and the water was drained in an attempt to make a fresh start.

The second goal of the program was the prevention of flooding in buildings close to the water. New sewer lines were put in and foliage was removed to allow the water to flow more safely.

The program was started in summer 2001 and since its commencement, students have not been pleased with having to skirt the construction.

The project also caused the inconvenience of Normal Road closure for two days last March.

The construction has had several projected completion dates, but Patricia Perkins, assistant to the vice president of Finance and Facilities, recently told the Northern Star that most of the work is done. What remains are minor touch-ups such as painting light poles and planting grass.

While the Storm Water Improvement Project is almost complete, Altgeld Hall is going to take a little longer.

Its reconstruction began in January 1999, and Joseph King, assistant director of Public Affairs, laughingly said that its date of completion has been pushed back several times.

"They’re always telling us eight months from now," he said.

King shared a brief history of the impressive structure.

"Altgeld used to have everything," he said, referring to the fact that the castle was NIU’s first building. "The gymnasium, classrooms, everything!"

Five years ago, NIU was granted $19.5 million from the state of Illinois to remodel its trademark building. As work proceeded, it became clear that more money was going to be needed to complete the task.

Asbestos and structural problems made work more difficult.

NIU petitioned the state for an extra $5 million and the grant was approved. The latest due date for the building is this September. When it does open, it will be a "multi-use" building containing everything from offices to an art gallery, Perkins said.

While current projects are occupying both students and administrators, NIU does have more improvements slated to begin.

Perkins gave a list of new projects which include redesigning the visitor parking lot, putting in new underground steam lines and renovating the Stevens Building.

The Institute for Work and the Economy will hold its Workplace Learning Conference from Sunday through Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in downtown Chicago.

Diana Robinson, senior research associate at NIU and director of the conference, said the event is an opportunity for professionals from a variety of sectors to find out what’s happening with workplace and adult learning. She said the conference is for anyone who has an interest in these types of issues, such as professionals or working people in general.

The conference’s theme is “Advancing Adult Work-Based Learning: Building a 21st Century Community of Practice.” Robinson said there will be speakers and workshops at the conference.

According to the conference’s Web site, www.workplace-learning.net, some of the keynote speakers will be Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of employment and training administration for the U.S. Department of Labor; Jeff Taylor, CEO of Monster.com; Edward Potter, president of the Employment Policy Foundation; Susan Sclafani, acting assistant secretary of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education for the U.S. Department of Education; and William Lucy, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Robinson said there will be a cross-section of topics discussed, including trends in the North American labor market, shifts in the economy, how to perform well and advance on the job and how to help people with barriers to employment.

This is the seventh year of the conference, Robinson said. It is run by the Institute for Work and the Economy, a non-profit organization staffed by NIU professionals that looks at applied policy and research in the areas of work and learning.

Robinson said they expect between 550 and 600 people to attend the conference. Standard registration for the conference is $395, but NIU students, faculty and staff receive a 25 percent discount, she said.

The conference isn’t only for the NIU community. Robinson said people from throughout the United States are coming, and some people are traveling from as far away as Australia.

There are two reasons why people should attend the conference, Robinson said. People can pick up new ideas to help them grow into their jobs and also build networks with people who share their interests.

To register for the conference, call 753-6925 or visit www.workplace-learning.net.