The late English author Geoffrey Chaucer once observed, “There is an end to everything, and good things as well.” Or, as modern generations have adapted, all good things must come to an end.Regrettably, our academic prosperity might soon follow this axiom.The University ranked in the first tier of the “Best National Universities” for the first time in the school’s 150-year history, according to the 2009 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges.Much credit has been given to LSU’s Flagship Agenda, a public sponsorship program devised in 2002 to place LSU in a position to compete on all levels with the finest public universities in the country.Aspects highlighted in the agenda include increasing the number of faculty, raising admission standards, improving campus facilities and technology and promoting endowments for academic expansion.The University has seen notable progress because of direct funding from the initiative.But these progressive steps could be jeopardized by state-issued budget cuts.The adverse consequences of major cuts are indisputable. System President John Lombardi said in an e-mail interview with The Daily Reveille if budget cuts are indeed authorized, they could yield detrimental results: “[The LSU System] will no longer be capable of competing among America’s significant public university systems, its flagship will lose its place in the competition among American flagship institutions, and its campuses and medical enterprises will find themselves dramatically behind the rest of the South.”Similar effects have been felt throughout the nation because of recent economic anxiety. The University, much like the rest of the nation, must prepare to tighten its belt to help plow through this financial strain.The problem with the cuts is they do not only place budgetary constraints on the University. They are a direct threat to faculty members and students.The worst-case scenario projects nearly 2,000 LSU System employees could be terminated because of the cutbacks. Also, future cuts could inhibit future course offerings and lead to larger class sizes and regressed student-faculty relations.Because of the significant role the University plays — both for the students who rely on a quality education and the citizens who benefit from academic advancements —     authorities must make it their priority to ensure these cuts stave as far from endangering student as possible.To obstruct the monumental progress the university has made in the past few years would be a tragic mistake.Future generations should not be encumbered by the mistakes of those prior. It’s impractical to argue that because of the illogical fiscal practices of our forerunners, we, too, should endure restrictive consequences. It’s essential for the well-being of our state — as well as our nation — that our youth be mobilized with whatever resources that can be made available.The first major step toward suppressing our future is asphyxiating the next generations’ access to academic necessities.Our officials must always remember the rights of the student should ultimately be considered, not what is best for the University’s balance sheet. While fiscal responsibility is an admirable objective, a university is only as strong as its students. To allow them the best opportunity for unbridled success, there should be as few hindrances as possible.College students are often considered little fish in a big pond. But the truth is, until we leave campus, we are still small critters living in a relatively sheltered environment. To make that environment optimal for growth, our leaders should avoid toxic cuts at all cost.By doing that, the University gives its students the best opportunity for long-lasting success. And that’s what we should be striving for.- – – -Contact Scott Burns at [email protected]