COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved a $1 billion appropriations request for fiscal 2010, a 19 percent increase over this year.

The curators approved the request yesterday, including financing for projects to repair crumbling buildings and address the state's need for health-care professionals. It also includes projects that weren't in last year's request and some projects that were included but were not funded.

Nikki Krawitz, UM System vice president for finance and administration, says funding a $526 million request for operations and a $505 million request for capital improvements will have a reach beyond the four campuses.

She highlighted the lack of capital funding from the state, which has created a backlog of $800 million in critical repairs, renovations and facility upgrades.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)