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.

It seems higher education’s budget problems will stick around for a few more years, said Kathy Buettner, NIU’s associate vice president and executive director for state and federal relations.

Buettner gave an overview of NIU’s budget status at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate meeting.

“Federal monies have expanded dramatically, and that’s good,” she said. “The bottom line is our base revenue for the state continues to struggle. It’s still down.”

Buettner said that last year, the budget was not figured out until April, when the governor normally would have it by April.

“I don’t think they will wait that long this year, but it may not happen and [Gov. Rod Blagojevich] may try to get an extension from the General Assembly until March,” Buettner said.

NIU is not alone in the budget crisis.

“I don’t believe any other of the universities have unveiled their formal policies yet,” Buettner said.

Each university determines how it will handle the cuts, such as cutting courses or office supplies. Buettner said all state universities have tried to be as efficient as possible.

“At this point, if we have another cut, it will cut into the quality of instruction,” Buettner said. “There’s nothing left to cut but people.”

However, Buettner said faculty cuts probably are not under serious consideration at this point.

The budget will be more certain by Dec. 31, when the government will see the impact of sales tax.

“I don’t think anyone can make a decision now, it’s too early to tell,” Buettner said.

Patricia Henry, faculty representative to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, said the PQP (Programs, Quality, Productivity) process still is being discussed. Many NIU faculty members are opposed to the process.

“PQP is still around, but the IBHE said nothing in terms of endorsing it,” Henry said.

Buettner said she believes faculty members are being as productive as possible.

“They are educating several thousand more students on $20 or $30 million less - that’s productivity,” Buettner said.

Students may feel the budget crunch in class size and availability.

“Everyone needs to focus on what the state revenue situation is, and pay attention to reports that come out on state revenue,” Buettner said.

Also during the meeting, the Academic Affairs committee proposed the idea of a different grading system to the faculty senate. The committee suggested changing the current system so it allows students to be more differentiated based on performance.

Although the committee was unsure on what type of system, some suggested a system based on grades of A, A-B, B and B-C. This is the same system currently used by the University of Wisconsin.

The Faculty Senate asked the committee to come back in January with more information about the new system.