(Cover) - EN Showbiz - James Franco refused to travel to New York for todays Oscar nominations as he didnt want to miss one of his university classes.

The actor will host the Academy Awards alongside Anne Hathaway this year, and is also expected to be nominated for the best actor prize for his role in 127 Hours.

The 32-year-old is currently studying for a PhD in English at Yale University, and also taking classes at the Rhode Island School of Design. He takes his lessons very seriously, so decided against skipping some so he could be available when the Oscar nominations are announced later today.

I will be at school. I will be at Yale. Fox Searchlight asked me if I would go to New York to be ready in case that I was nominated, James revealed. I said, No. Im not gonna miss class to go and presume that Im going to be nominated, but if you want to bring out a camera crew to Yale and wait and see if I get nominated, Id be happy to step out of class and say Im very grateful.

James added he is looking forward to presiding over the ceremony with Anne, and thinks it will go smoothly. He has decided against writing jokes or comments for the event, instead deciding to leave it up to a dedicated team who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Its gonna be my face and Annes face right in the middle of everything. But what people dont see is the whole apparatus behind us thats been working on this project for like a year, so I trust them, he told the Associated Press. Im leaving it up to them. I have no desire to make my mark on the hosting gig... I have no need to etch my lines into there. I feel fairly confident that Ill be able to deliver whatever they give me.

The 2011 Academy Awards will be held at Hollywoods Kodak Theatre on February 27. (C) Cover Media