Talks between the University of Prince Edward Island and its striking faculty continued Tuesday, helped by a mediator chosen by the province two days before.

The position of the mediator, Milton Veniot, a labour specialist from Halifax, is non-binding.

Faculty walked off the job on March 21, asking for parity in pay, workload and benefits with other major post-secondary institutions in the Atlantic region.

Meanwhile, the UPEI Student Union says it has been briefed on contingency plans by the university for completing the semester, originally set to finish this Thursday. The president and vice-president of the student body met with school officials on Monday.

The student group said it wants to ensure exams finish within the current scheduled period, originally set to end April 24, and that students can get at least one class in each subject before those final tests begin.

Tuesday also saw another rally by striking instructors on the UPEI campus.