Terms like budget cuts and recession are scary words no one wants to hear about, much less discuss.But as the spring semester begins, these idioms are something University faculty and staff can’t escape.The University is facing about $10.3 million in budget cuts for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. And the LSU System as a whole, which includes 11 LSU institutions, is facing $29 million in mid-year cuts.And our system isn’t the only one facing such problems. The University of Georgia System is dealing with a $29.7 million cut, and the University of South Carolina System is dealing with a $52 million cut.There are few other efficient ways to come out of economic turmoil aside from scaling back spending, and that’s what the state has been forced to do.But we feel it is vital to the success of the University and the entire LSU System that these cuts don’t affect LSU’s top priority — academia.Everything possible needs to be done to ensure students don’t feel the brunt of the cuts.Other possible solutions need to be examined before officials take measures that would directly affect students. And it seems that’s what Chancellor Michael Martin and System President John Lombardi are doing.Martin said the University is “taking every measure to protect the academic core.” He also said the University is doing whatever it can to protect jobs and continuing working toward the Flagship Agenda.And Lombardi told The Daily Reveille last week that students probably won’t notice the budget cuts right away.The first steps being taken include cutting back on travel and renovations, but larger cuts could lead to higher student fees, fewer course offerings and even faculty layoffs.To create a long-term solution to the problem, we suggest spending more — dipping into the state’s “rainy-day” fund as a source of lost funding to spark growth and make sure the core of the University — the state’s Flagship Agenda — is protected.Another possible long-term solution may simply be planning and preparation.The next fiscal year begins July 1, and Martin said he should know more about next year’s budget by mid-February.Knowing sacrifices and cutbacks need to be made should better prepare University and System officials for what may need to be done later.– Contact the Editorial Board at [email protected]