The California State University Board of Trustees and the California Faculty Association agreed Sunday to temporarily extend its contract until April 6, 2007 — a 10-day extension that may allow enough time for the two parties to reach a settlement.

A fact finding report from a third party gives the CFA and CSU system 10 days to reach an agreement. The independent report recommends an almost 25 percent pay raise for CSU faculty members.

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said in an Associated Press article that “The fact-finder tried to be fair to both sides and kind of split the difference.”

Strikes will not occur on any CSU campuses during this period. However, faculty are still preparing for a strike in the event the CSU and CFA do not come to an agreement.

“We’re going to do what it takes to get a contract,” CFA President John Travis told the Associated Press, adding that he saw the extension as a “positive sign.”

CFA Communications Director Alice Sunshine informed The Collegian that no further statements from CFA would be issued Sunday. Sunshine advised media personnel to refer to an article written by the Associated Press.

Last week, 94 percent of dues-paying faculty eligible to vote in a strike authorization vote endorsed a strike that could possibly begin next month in the form of two-day rolling strikes across the 23 CSU campuses.