HARRISBURG — Students at Slippery Rock University could be looking at a strike by professors on Oct. 19, unless a new contract is in place.

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties announced the strike date this morning.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education oversees 14 universities in the state, including SRU.

About 5,500 faculty members from those 14 state universities have been working under expired contracts for 451 days. During a September vote to authorize a strike, more than 90 percent of the union members favored a strike, with roughly 85 percent of the 332 members from Slippery Rock University voting.

Colleen Cooke, a professor of recreational therapy and the vice president and media spokesman for the Slippery Rock University branch of APSCUF, said the faculty members do not want to go on strike but feel their hands are forced.

“We would prefer that we settle and get a fair contract,” she said. “It’s uncomfortable for us ... but we’re being forced into a circumstance where we have to strike. We just want a fair deal.”