Gov. Nixon unveils plan to freeze tuition
Gov. Jay Nixon put forth a plan earlier today which would freeze tuition and fees for in-state students at Missouri's four-year public institutions across the state.
The proposed plan, which has to be approved by the General Assembly and institutions' governing bodies, would ensure 95 percent of higher education funding appropriated for the 2010-2011 year remains in place. In return, public, four-year institutions have agreed to not raise tuition or fees on in-state undergraduate students.
“As tuition skyrockets by double digits in other states, university leaders, faculty members and my administration have worked together to put Missouri students first and protect them from tuition spikes for the second year in a row," Nixon said in a news release from his office. "By helping keep higher education affordable, we are taking bold steps to prepare the workforce that will move Missouri forward.”
UM system President Gary Forsee said in the news release this was the best comprise given the situation.
“The governor’s action today strikes the best balance in a difficult and fiscally challenging time for our state,” Forsee said. “This agreement mitigates the magnitude of the cut that higher education would otherwise have received and enables us to hold undergraduate tuition flat for one more year."
This freeze is similar to one announced last year, but according to the Governor's Web site, last year's freeze applied to all students at Missouri's public four-year institutions.