HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education and the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties continued discussions this week about a new faculty contract, and they are scheduled to convene again in September.

“At the heart of this dialogue with APSCUF are students and a common purpose for delivering quality educational experiences," State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “Those participating in these constructive discussions recognize the shared responsibility we all have to our students, and we at the State System are deeply appreciative for the collaborative, problem-solving spirit propelling these talks forward."

APSCUF hosted sessions Monday and Tuesday at its Harrisburg headquarters. The next set of talks is scheduled for Sept.14-18 at the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.

“I'm genuinely pleased that we have been able to address each side's concerns seriously, with respect, and with our students in mind," said Dr. Kenneth Mash, president of APSCUF. “We are looking forward to next month's discussions as we move closer to conclusion."

The State System and APSCUF have engaged in interest-based bargaining, which focuses on collaboration instead of traditional exchanges of contract proposals.

The most recent contract ended June 30; by law, that contract remains in effect until a new collective bargaining agreement is ratified.

Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education oversees 14 four-year public universities educating more than 90,000 students. The State System offers more than 2,300 degrees and certificates in more than 530 academic areas. The State System universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania.

APSCUF represents about 5,500 faculty and coaches at the State System universities.