Documents released by the LSU System late Tuesday indicate the total cuts to the System next fiscal year will total $131.2 million, with total cuts to the System’s main campus totaling $45.4 million.The budget reductions are, for all intents and purposes, across- the-board, with the System’s 11 institutions being dealt cuts between 17.2 and 23.3 percent.These cuts are a fundamental contrast to the performance-based cuts advocated by University Chancellor Michael Martin.A few weeks ago, we supported a performance-based cut because we felt it was a more appropriate method for reductions.And after seeing the numbers run on the across-the-board cut, we again stand firm in our conviction that a performance-based cut is undoubtedly the fairer answer. It’s absurd and unfortunate that this campus will be dealt such a crippling blow.In the past 10 years, the University has strived to become one of the most respected institutions in the South and in the U.S. Through various programs and initiatives — like the Flagship Agenda — the University broke into U.S. News & World Report’s list of top-tier colleges last fall.And it’s a shame the System is allowing that hard work to fall by the wayside so soon.Once again, we’re calling on System President John Lombardi to reconsider the System’s proposed budget cut plan. And we implore University faculty, staff, students and alumni to back the performance-based cut method.That’s the method we want.That’s the method this University deserves. –Contact the Editorial Board at [email protected]