BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Fiscal issues going into the 2024 academic year are causing Western Washington University to make some major decisions to stay afloat.

The school’s Board of Trustees approved a measure at their meeting on June 14 to sell six university-owned properties, valued at roughly $3 million.

The properties going up for sale include residential buildings and undeveloped land in Whatcom County, a waterfront site on San Juan Island and a student retreat building on Sinclair Island.

The Board of Trustees said that they are still dealing with the financial impacts of COVID-19 and issues with FAFSA earlier this year is on track for a future decline in enrollment.

For their 2024-2025 academic year budget, the university will use over $3.6 million from their reserves to help make up part of the deficit. WWU also plans on asking the state for additional funding in other areas.