The University of Minnesota is asking the legislature for an 87-million-dollar funding increase for the next two years — which top administrators say will help keep faculty and staff salaries competitive and hold down tuition increases.  President Eric Kaler says a two-percent inflationary increase is planned for Minnesota resident undergrads at the Twin Cities campus — and for Greater Minnesota campuses

The University is also asking state lawmakers to authorize 232 million dollars in bonds for construction projects at the “U” — 200 million of it for building maintenance