Next week, cars without gasoline and machines powered by wind instead of electricity will become the norm at MSU.

Beginning Monday, the Office of Campus Sustainability and MSU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America will host Energy Awareness Week.

Students, faculty and staff will have the chance to check out the future, including solar-powered cars and the newest in computer technology.

“This is one way we can highlight some of the things we are suggesting,”said Brenda Wrigley, assistant professor of public relations and public relations society adviser. “There are neat new things that are happening with energy, such as the vehicles on display Monday.”

Several events are planned throughout the week, including a display of energy-efficient vehicles. Other events will show how people can continue to save energy on campus.

Last fall, MSU kicked off its energy conservation campaign. MSU President M. Peter McPherson said electrical consumption was 5 percent lower in December 2001, compared to December 2000.

University officials say the $1 million they hope to save can go toward education costs.

“We kicked things off last fall and we all have a tendency to forget about stuff, so this is a way to remind people about the things we’re trying to get them to do,” Wrigley said.

Wrigley said the first 50 people to attend Campus Center movies tonight and Saturday night will receive Energy Awareness Week T-shirts.

“The students really believe in this environmental stewardship message and I think that’s what’s motivated them to become involved in this,” she said.

Julie Bagley, secretary of the public relations society, said it is easy for students to save energy.

“Energy awareness is something that everybody needs to be aware of,” she said. “We need to be aware that our resources are quickly depleting.

“If five people in a day shut off their computer, that’s a lot of energy saved.”

Bagley said she was excited to see the solar cars, but also glad that students will be able to work with more common technology.

Students can take their computers to some of the experts next week and see if they are running properly. She said computers running at less than full potential can strain energy levels.

Aja McWilliams, an international studies junior, said she was not aware of next week’s events, but said students being able to check their computers out will be a popular attraction.

“If my computer was messed up, I would get it inspected,” she said.

For more information, see www.ecofoot.msu.edu.