The state system includes East Stroudsburg University and Kutztown University, among others.
The union representing faculty at Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities is taking the first step toward a possible strike.
The state-owned universities include East Stroudsburg University in Monroe County and Kutztown University in Berks County. Penn State University is a land-grant school that is not among the 14.
Union officials say delegates from each campus will meet Saturday in State College for a strike authorization vote.
The move was announced amid stalled contract negotiations. On Monday, state higher education officials declined the union's offer for binding arbitration.
The two sides disagree on pay for temporary faculty, health care and retiree benefits. The union's last contract expired in June 2011.
The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties represents more than 6,000 faculty and coaches.
The union's general membership also must vote to authorize a strike before one can be called. That vote has not been scheduled.
The universities serve about 120,000 students. There has never been a faculty strike.
East Stroudsburg earlier this year opened a satellite campus in Bethlehem.