HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is applauding the board that oversees Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities for tentatively agreeing to a tuition freeze in exchange for a $45 million increase in the system’s appropriation.

The State System of Higher Education voted 9-8 on Thursday to endorse the freeze, which also applies to instructional fees.

The state universities includes Slippery Rock University.

The resolution introduced by state Rep. Mike Hanna, the House Democratic whip, and approved by the board says the freeze ultimately is subject to approval by the board. Wolf says the freeze is contingent upon passage of the funding increase.

The new Democratic governor says students have borne the brunt of spending cuts over the last four years and that the vote is an important step toward holding down rising college costs.