The budget could be slashed by as much as $600 million.

The Advertiser reports.

LSU students march in protest of possible deep college cuts

BATON ROUGE – Chanting “No Funds, No Future,” hundreds of LSU students and university supporters converged Thursday on the Louisiana Capitol to protest budget cuts that threaten to shutter programs, eliminate classes and force widespread layoffs on their campus.

Many protesters wore purple and gold, the school’s colors. They sang the university’s alma mater and carried hand-made signs that read “Save Our School” and “Protect Our Future Tigers” as they booed the mention of Gov. Bobby Jindal and yelled that they wouldn’t take cuts quietly.

One of the protest organizers, mass communication student Justin DiCharia shouted to the group rallying on the capitol steps: “Silence is surrender, and today they will hear our voices!”

Because of a $1.6 billion budget shortfall, higher education is faced with slashing of up to $600 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, more than 80 percent of college systems’ state financing. Jindal recommended tax break changes that need legislative approval to fill part of the gap, but his proposal still would cut $220 million across public college campuses.

“Contrary to popular belief, students are paying attention,” said Valencia Richardson, a student who heads Geaux Vote LSU, an effort to encourage more student participation in the political process.