Letters of the Day (Feb. 7): University of Minnesota

"Maturi's pay doesn't play well at Capitol," read the Feb. 4 headline, and it didn't play well with me, either.

As Minnesota natives, my parents worked hard to send their children to the University of Minnesota, and so did I.

My brother got his master's degree there in 1972, then worked as a TA. He was active in the TA unionizing drive, a battle that continues today.

I studied at the U in 1974, while my soon-to-be-husband received his degree there. We sent both our daughters there, receiving minimal public/private tuition assistance.

I made quarterly payments in 2009-2011 from my paycheck (as the savings had dried up) so my daughter wouldn't be saddled with loan payments. I needed that money for my future retirement. My 80-year-old parents kicked in to help.

Thanks to President Obama, we did get some relief with loan payments (for my older daughter) and tax breaks.

The university can't afford union pay for overworked TAs. It can't manage affordable tuition for students.

JILLAYNE HOLTER, ST. LOUIS PARK

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I had to suppress a guffaw when reading about our dear legislators moaning about Maturi's "golden parachute."

Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, said "this will hurt the U when president [Eric] Kaler comes crying poor to the Legislature for money for our students."

I hope that she and others expressing similar sentiments will be as provident when Zygi Wilf comes crying for tax money to support his Minnesota Vikings. Don't forget to mention Adrian Peterson's new $100 million contract.