The president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union has some explaining to do after a controversial photo and allegedly sexist comments surfaced on the Internet.
Al Turnbull is a star athlete and a public figure on campus and, according to comments he made online, he’ll also tutor women and check out their cleavage free of charge. The comments appeared in an online edition of the student newspaper, The Manitoban.
“I think it’s something students need to know about,” said Quinn Richert, news editor.
Reaction began to pour in as soon as the story was posted, said Richert. “So far, most of the comments have been quite critical of his behavior.”
U of M student Gina Campbell finds Turnbull’s behavior unacceptable. “This is higher education so you would expect a higher level of maturity, also,” she said.
This isn't the first time Turnbull has been called sexist. In March, the newly-elected UMSU president landed in the student newspaper for wearing a T-shirt that said, “Cool story babe, now go get me a sandwich.”
Turnbull doesn't deny making the comments, but said they were made in the winter on Instagram before he was elected president. He believes the photos have only resurfaced now to distract from the real issues UMSU has been dealing with.
Charly Wreggitt, UMSU’s women’s representative on council, doesn’t buy that explanation. “The problem is these comments did happen and you're not going to cure your privilege this summer,” she said.
“You're not going to say something in March and suddenly be totally un-sexist in September.”
Wreggitt wants Turnbull to apologize for his comments and work on being more respectful to women. Even that might not be enough for some students, who think he should resign.
“Let’s vote for a new student president,” said Samuel Peers.
Turnbull told CTV News he's regretful of the actions he made in the past, and is very sorry to see they've resurfaced.
- With a report by Caroline Barghout
