“This is one of the methods we’re using to reduce energy on campus and emissions,” Sowa said. “We’ve taken places where only a couple (classes) are occurring late at night and moved them to buildings with other things going on.”

This allows the HVAC, or heating, ventilation and cooling systems, to be turned down earlier, she said.

The HVAC isn’t completely shut down; rather, it runs on reduced power, said Karen Zelt, spokeswoman for the Physical Plant.

In the pilot year, which began last fall, the changes saved the university about $17,000 and prevented about 137 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted, according to a statement from MSU.

MSU spent about $64.4 million on utilities and energy in 2008-09, which includes HVAC systems. According to the University Budget Guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees in June, MSU expects utility costs to increase about 11 percent, or about $5.2 million, in 2009-10.

The buildings included in the first year of the program include Agriculture Hall, Baker Hall, Giltner Hall, the Old Horticulture Building, the Natural Resources Building, the Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Building and Olds Hall.

The Physical Plant, Office of the Registrar, Facilities Planning and Space Management and Academic Technology Services were part of the process.

The classes and events were moved to buildings close to their original building to minimize inconvenience, Sowa said.

“People might need to get used to something a bit different,” she said. “The Registrar’s Office was cognizant of the change. It might be slightly different, but it’s a more efficient way we’re doing it.”

Physiology senior Karen Luplow said the relocating didn’t seem like an inconvenience.

“I think the whole point is we’re an energy-efficient school — that’s our focus,” she said.

The changes reflects a permanent shift in scheduling, so some classes might not be available in certain buildings at times they had been in previous years, Sowa said.

The recommendation came out of the Be Spartan Green initiative, which outlines a plan to reduce energy use by 15 percent, landfill waste by 30 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by the year 2015. Sowa said they will continue to look at other ways to reduce energy.

“We will continue to look at additional opportunities because it was very successful,” she said.

More buildings will eventually be incorporated for next year, according to the statement.