Talofa and Pacific greetings to you all!
What is your full name and/or preferred name?
Tuifa’asisina Tapenaga Reupena Polataivao-Fatialofa II / TJ
What are your pronouns?
He/him
What is your elected position for 2024?
Treasurer
If you’ve been on the exec team before, which position/s have you served and when?
VP Campus Culture, 2023
What are you studying?
Bachelor of Arts, major in International Relations & Anthropology
What are you most looking forward to about your involvement in the Union in 2024?
I look forward to a year full of fantastic events, interacting with fellow students both beginning and continuing and ensuring that your voices are heard, and your needs actioned!
What are your priorities, key focuses and/or commitments for your involvement in 2024?
My three priorities for this year are:
- Properly funded and supported student portfolios (eg. Campus Culture, Women’s, Queer, Disability, Student Rights, Goorie, Environment, Postgrad, Gatton, Herston, Dutton Park & International) so that they can continue to and create more events and initiatives that are more inclusive, more diverse and reflect the want and need of students across UQ.
- Bringing advocacy back to UQ Union. We are currently living through a climate crisis, a housing crisis, cost of living crisis and more. Students are struggling and bearing the brunt of crisis after crisis. People across the world from Palestine to West Papua are facing genocide and ethnic cleansing. And my hope and commitment for this year is to bring UQ Union back to the forefront of advocacy as the biggest student union in the southern hemisphere.
- Ensuring the longevity of the UQ Union. This year we are faced with budget cuts from UQ who want us to do more or the same with less, whilst we continue and expand our welfare and wellbeing initiatives to do what we can to support students. Any cuts to the Union, will ultimately affect the services that we offer for student wellbeing and welfare and the future of the Union. Whether it be through meetings or protest, the livelihood and longevity of the Union will be maintained!
What do you believe are the biggest or most pressing challenges facing students today?
I believe the most pressing challenges facing students today is cost of living. I know all too well the struggle of working multiple jobs whilst trying to study to make ends meet. Cost of living has increased, HECS for domestic students continues to be indexed, fees for both International and Domestic students continue to rise, placement for many degrees continues to be unpaid, concession go card fees are still only given to full time students who physically attend classes, rent continues to skyrocket and yet wage growth has not, advocacy from UQ has been silent, and the support services needed to combat the outcomes from having to make ends meet, whether that be academically or mentally, has not increased to where it needs to. Cost of living is one of the most pressing challenges facing students today and know that your UQ Union and your Student Executives are out here campaigning, advocating and amplifying your voices for change.
How would you like to support, represent, and/or entertain students?
If you have a query about the Union, an idea of what initiative or event we should implement or create, or strongly believe that we should be more active in advocating for a certain cause or issue, please email/message me (deets below). Your voice and your opinion matters, and we are here to serve you!
What’s been a highlight or favourite moment or event from your time at university or with UQU?
I think a highlight for me during my time at uni, is probably being able to engage with students from all over the world, from different clubs and societies and listening to their stories, learning about their culture, their wants and why, and just being able to connect with them.
What can you be found doing for fun when you’re not studying or working?
Besides studying or working which takes most of my time, when I can I like to game, ranging from open worlds like Skyrim to city building and sometimes even a bit of League of Legends. Otherwise, I do love a good book, and once I am interested in one, I’ll be reading it from sunrise to sunset hahahaha.
Where’s your favourite spot to grab a feed and kick back on campus?
It’s seasonal for me when it comes to grabbing a feed on campus at St Lucia. Summer you’ll find me eating Chicken Karaagedon (extra meat and sauce) + 2 sushis from Kenko and in the Winter you’ll find me eating some Bento Box or hot chips at UQU Main Course. During summer, somewhere indoors with aircon is the preferable kick back 😂 otherwise you’ll find me eating on the tables around Campbell Place and the Grassy Knoll.
How can students get in contact with you?
For official enquiries or thoughts regarding anything that you think the Union should be doing, should be speaking out about please email [email protected]
For unofficial enquiries, you can find me on FB and LinkedIn @ Tuifaasisina Tapenaga Reupena Polataivao-Fatialofa II and on Instagram @ thepolataivaochronicles . If an email scares you, feel free to message me on these platforms as well 😅
Anything else?
Free Palestine.
Free West Papua.
Free Congo.
Free every occupied Indigenous land across this world from the shackles of colonisation, neo-liberalism, and nationalism.
Landback!
Always Was, Always Will Be!