BEND, Ore. – Central Oregon Community College and the school’s Faculty Forum reached a tentative agreement on a new contract during a mediation session Friday,  averting a strike that was set to begin next Monday.

" With this, classes and college services will continue as normal on Monday, Oct, 5," the college said on its Facebook page.

"Out of respect for the process, we are allowing the Faculty Forum to communicate the agreement before sharing further details on the webpage," COCC said in a brief update on its page regarding the recent negotiations.

"The terms of the tentative agreement will now be prepared for review and consideration by both parties in accordance with their respective ratification processes," the college added.

Dozens of faculty members picketed on campus last month and staged a rally last Thursday. After an overwhelming strike authorization vote, the group representing more than 170 full- and part-time professors said they would stage a walkout starting Monday if the college did not make a better offer, The Source reported.

COCC teachers said their salleries have fallen far behind statewide norms for community college instructors. But the college said meeting the salary demands in full would put the school on unstable financial ground amid tough finances for higher education.

The union said the latest proposals could be funded without program or personnel cuts or more tuition hikes, according to KTVZ News.

The college had said that "unless otherwise announced, college campuses and services will remain operational."