Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

A sign of the COVID testing site of Emerson College and Tufts University.

Spring semester sees rise of invalid COVID-19 tests, new ‘inconclusive’ category

March 4, 2021

This semester, the college has reported a slight rise in COVID-19 tests coming back “invalid” and has introduced a new “inconclusive” category...

75 Arlington St, the Building where the Boston Foundation office is located in.

Pelton poised to reshape Boston Foundation presidency

March 4, 2021

After Emerson President M. Lee Pelton steps into his new role as CEO and President of The Boston Foundation on June 1, he will be tasked with setting new...

Emerson is now mask-optional in all campus spaces except classrooms.

Administrators suggest restriction loosening on the horizon

March 4, 2021

With coronavirus cases on the decline in Boston and in Massachusetts and the gradual lift of restrictions, positive COVID-19 tests at Emerson have begun...

Richard Fucillo stands in front of the State House.

Emerson senior mounts State House campaign

February 25, 2021

The contest to fill an open seat for the Massachusetts House of Representatives now includes an unusual face in state politics—an Emerson College senior. Richard...

An elevator on campus.

Audio cues installed in elevators after student push for campus accessibility

February 25, 2021

More than a year after a student filed an accessibility request to install audio cues in on-campus elevators, which would announce the direction the elevator...

People walking on Boylston Street.

With spring break canceled, students express burnout fears

February 25, 2021

As the college nears its would-be spring break, some students worry about the mental and academic burnout that might accompany more than three consecutive...

A Visual and Media Arts class under COVID-19 safety restrictions.

Another semester of hybrid learning garners disappointment

February 25, 2021

The college’s plan to extend “flex” learning, a mix of virtual and in-person classes, into the fall 2021 semester was met with a mix of approval...

Emersons Kasteel Well campus in Well, Netherlands.

With no students at the castle, the town of Well remains shuttered

February 18, 2021

Nearly 3,500 miles away from Boston, a towering castle is quiet. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the dorms at Kasteel Well have sat empty for nearly...

Students walking along Boylston Street.

COVID-19 positives continue to surge despite administrator prediction of slowdown

February 18, 2021

Despite administrator predictions of a dip in positive COVID-19 tests amongst community members, positives continue to roll in at a significantly higher...

Brandin Dear, associate dean & director of counseling, health, wellness.

Former Harvard clinician Brandin Dear to head merger of counseling, health, and wellness offices

February 18, 2021

Brandin Dear, who filled the newly minted position of associate dean and director of counseling, health, and wellness earlier this month, will spearhead...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Pizza oven fire extinguished in Dining Center, contraband found in Little Building

February 14, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Quarantined students describe abysmal food conditions, allergen violations

Quarantined students describe abysmal food conditions, allergen violations

February 11, 2021

Five students in quarantine and isolation housing in the Paramount residence hall, cut off from many of the college’s services and completely dependent...

As vaccine rollout trudges along, the Emerson community gets in line

As vaccine rollout trudges along, the Emerson community gets in line

February 11, 2021

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to plod along in the state and nation, some members of the Emerson community have gotten one or both of the doses...

The exterior of Lamberts Marketplace.

Lambert’s Marketplace, new dining partner, faces complications at Board Bucks launch

February 11, 2021

Lambert’s Marketplace experienced a slew of technical difficulties as the convenience store and sandwich shop transitioned to accepting Emerson’s Board...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Two non-Emerson members found in Little Building, fire alarm set off in Park Plaza Hotel

February 10, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

A Spring 2020 Student Government Association meeting. Photo by Yongze Wang.

SGA to hire student employees to lighten treasurer workload

February 4, 2021

With the spring semester underway, the Student Government Association is staring down a vacancy in one of its most crucial positions—the executive treasurer—for...

A student walks in the snow on Boylston Street

High positivity rate at Emerson not cause for concern, college official says

February 4, 2021

With in-person courses officially underway this week, the pandemic appears to have taken a firmer grip on the Boston campus in less than a month than it...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Fire alarm set off at W Hotel

February 3, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Massachusetts reports 2,546 new cases, 46 deaths

Massachusetts reports 2,546 new cases, 46 deaths

January 31, 2021

Massachusetts reported 2,546 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a sharp decrease from the 3,957 new infections reported Saturday. The death toll rose by 46,...

The main entrance of the Walgreens in downtown Boston.

College maintains flu shot policy despite state reversal

January 28, 2021

Emerson will continue to require students to receive a seasonal flu vaccine despite the reversal of the Massachusetts policy that initially brought on...