Dr. Robert Vartabedian, president of Missouri Western State University, supports a proposal made today by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. The governor will recommend a 5 percent increase in state appropriations for higher education, while the presidents and chancellors of the Council on Public Higher Education in Missouri will recommend to their governing boards that they freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates for the 2014-2015 school year.
“We are very appreciative of Gov. Nixon’s long-standing support of higher education in Missouri,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “We share his commitment to making sure a university education remains within reach of all Missouri families, and in fact we froze in-state undergraduate tuition four of the last 10 years. This understanding will further that goal while providing Missouri’s higher education institutions with much needed resources.”
The governor’s proposal would increase Missouri Western’s state appropriation in 2014-2015 by approximately $1 million.
Missouri Western’s current tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students is approximately $6,500 per year for the typical full-time student, the third lowest among public universities in the state according to Missouri Department of Higher Education statistics.
The governor’s recommendation is subject to legislative approval, and the presidents’ and chancellors’ recommendations are subject to the approval of their governing boards.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.