A tentative contract agreement affecting about 5,500 faculty members at Pennsylvania's state-owned universities awaits a vote by a union committee.

The negotiations committee of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, made up of union leaders from the 14 campuses, is expected to vote in a Monday night teleconference.

The committee's chairman, Bloomsburg University math professor Steve Kokoska, says he anticipates a frank and open discussion.

If the committee endorses the agreement, it would be presented Friday in Gettysburg to the union's legislative assembly, which could send it to the rank and file for ratification.

Faculty members have worked without a contract since June 2011, but an accord was struck early Sunday. Union officials say the terms are similar to contracts covering tens of thousands of state employees.