Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday morning that he wants tuition and academic fees at Missouri’s public, four-year universities to remain frozen during the 2010-11 academic year.

“We all understand that making sure these folks [pointing to students] get educated – and get educated in a timely and affordable fashion – is really the key to the future of this state and this country,” Nixon said. “I’m proud to stand with these leaders and this community and once again put a stake down and say, ‘This is where we will win this huge challenge and move our state and country forward.'”

He made the announcement, which applies to in-state undergraduate students, during a press conference at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. UMSL and Missouri’s other four-year universities support the proposed tuition freeze in return for fiscal year 2011 state funding that will be about 95 percent of 2010 funding, or a reduction of about 5 percent. The agreement still needs the approval of the universities’ governing boards and Missouri General Assembly.

If approved, 2010-11 will be the second consecutive academic year that in-state Missouri undergraduates have benefited from a tuition-freeze agreement. Nixon was joined at the press conference by UMSL Chancellor Tom George and University of Missouri System President Gary Forsee.

“[The agreement] is a very clear indication of this governor’s support for public, four-year higher education,” Forsee said. “It’s a clear indication of the importance we are all placing on access and affordability for Missouri students to get to school, to stay in school and get that degree.”

Forsee remained on campus Tuesday to hold a town hall meeting in the afternoon. He talked with students, faculty and staff about current and projected economic conditions that are impacting the state and higher education. KMOV (Channel 4) reported on Nixon’s announcement. Click here to download a 3.3 MB of the story that aired. (QuickTime Player is required.)