Contract talks between the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), the union that represents the approximately 5,500 faculty at the 14 state-owned universities, continued today.

The two sides met for five and a half hours under the auspices of a state mediator and made some progress. Discussions focused mainly on non-economic issues.

The negotiations will continue next Friday. Additional bargaining sessions also are scheduled for Nov. 21 and Dec. 18 and 19.

With more than 104,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 375,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.