I am writing on behalf of the student body in the Faculty of Architecture and Design As the home base for Victoria University's Faculty of Architecture and Design. Te Aro Campus hosts many courses promoting the value of sustainable and innovative architectural models. Despite the Faculty's championing of these philosophies, however, we have yet to see any changes in the school's energy consumption, nor in the production processes behind this energy.

Currently, Te Aro Campus is undergoing a cosmetic upgrade. However, it is not being conducted in accordance with the high standards we would expect from our lecturers and mentors. The lack of any sustainable technology within this cosmetic upgrade has prompted the students to demand change on a functional - and not just spatial - level.

The students have come to the conclusion that our environment and facilities should have the same outlook as our learning philosophy and, as a result, have developed a list of the reasons why the school should be looking to implement sustainable energy systems:

1. The renovations which have been planned within the school are still in the process phase and can be updated to incorporate sustainable design components.

2. The school has a carbon neutral reputation that is unjustified without any sustainable systems in place.

3. The roof space and upgrades could be used for any number of sustainable solutions from solar electricity to rain gardens for use within the school. The school has already implemented rain gardens in the recent upgrade that are cosmetic and only enhance the false appearance of sustainability.

4. Our students need a space that uses the same principles and ideals we are taught in order to believe that we are able to make a difference in our professions and in our communities.

This lack of change within the school should be rectified in order to restore the University's reputation, the students' trust in the system and in the progression of our society towards a renewable future.