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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

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Chalked expressions on the 2b alleyway walls. (Photo courtesy Margaux Jubin)

‘I no longer felt safe on campus:’ Jewish students who left Emerson recount their experiences

By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / April 23, 2025

Mia Blachman began her journey at her dream school, Emerson College, in the fall of 2023. It was exactly what she hoped for—a new city, interesting...

‘Students are scared to be outwardly Jewish’: Jewish students contemplate transferring following reported antisemitism on campus

Emerson Jewish students divided on claims of antisemitism on campus

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / April 23, 2025

As federal crackdowns on higher education intensify, Emerson College, like many other schools, finds itself contending with how best to balance claims...

People walking in the 2B alley

Two resident assistants fired weeks before semester ends for alleged pro-Palestine protest involvement

By Rylie Burns and Meg Richards / April 17, 2025
College officials told one former RA to vacate their room less than two weeks before the end of the semester.
(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon staff)

Faculty member uses Emerson parent Facebook group to identify and report protesters

By Merritt Hughes and Adri Pray / April 16, 2025

“Emerson Parents Against Antisemitism” began with an introductory message like any other college parent Facebook group.  “Hello all. This...

Jumpstart Emerson Site Manager Liz Weber works with students at one of their on-site locations (Courtesy Jumpstart)

Jumpstart to shut down on-site programming amid federal funding uncertainty

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / April 16, 2025

Come June, Jumpstart Emerson will officially close its doors for its on-site programming due to a reduction in federal funding caused by the Trump administration's...

(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Prospective students consider financial aid before ‘picturing’ themselves at Emerson

By Bryce Heilmann, Senior Living/Arts Reporter / April 9, 2025

While Massachusetts residents filled Boston Common on April 5 for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest, prospective students filled Emerson’s halls...

A corkboard of mementos from various trips during the Kasteel Well semester (Courtesy / Anna Bigelow).

From customs appreciation to customs anxiety, Kasteel students talk coming home

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / April 9, 2025

For Anna Bigelow, traveling to Barcelona has been a long-time dream. Bigelow and her younger brother, both fluent Spanish speakers, had once...

Clayton & Drew Players in costume for a performance of "Othello Outdone" in the early 20th century. Credit:  Emerson College Archives & Special Collections, New York Clipper Registry Collection.

How Emerson archivists help contribute to the Digital Transgender Archive

By Izzy Bryars, Staff Writer / April 7, 2025

Hundreds of Emerson students pass through the Iwasaki Library every day. However, most are unaware that tucked away in archives boxes that lie on the second...

Anna Feder, FSJP, speaks at the town hall on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff, File Photo)

Anna Feder, former Bright Lights curator, sues Emerson for wrongful termination, alleging targeting for ‘personal political activism’

By Adri Pray, Editor-in-Chief / April 2, 2025

Anna Feder, former curator of the Bright Lights Film Series, filed a lawsuit against Emerson College on Tuesday alleging that the college wrongfully terminated...

The entrance to Emerson's Walker Building on Boylston St. (Jakob Menendez/ Beacon Archives, File Photo)

Faculty assembly warns of confidentiality breaches, discusses enrollment, and debates ombudsperson

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / April 2, 2025

The March faculty assembly included discussions on enrollment, debates over the scope and payment of Emerson’s ombudsperson, and multiple instances of...

Pro-Palestine encampment tents line 2B alley at Emerson College on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Iselin Bratz/Beacon Staff)

Jewish Emerson faculty, staff sign letter denouncing arrests of student activists nationally, reject ‘cynical’ antisemitism claims

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / March 26, 2025

Half a dozen Jewish Emerson staff and faculty signed a letter on March 11 denouncing the arrest of Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian...

Pro-Palestinian protesters burn double sided United States/Israeli flag on Monday March 24, 2025. (Iselin Bratz/ Beacon Staff)

Boylston SJP marches down Tremont despite wind and rain, burns two-sided Israeli-American flag

By Iselin Bratz and Meg Richards / March 26, 2025

Amid pouring rain and near-freezing temperatures, more than 40 protesters with Boylston Students for Justice for Palestine gathered in the beer...

President Jay Bernhardt. (Naia Driscoll/Beacon Correspondent)

President Bernhardt unveils ‘Extraordinary Emerson 2030,’ meant to guide institution to 150th anniversary

By Adri Pray and Iselin Bratz / March 19, 2025

President Jay Bernhardt unveiled Emerson College’s strategic plan earlier this week, a list of priorities meant to serve as a “roadmap” to guide...

Cars passing in front of a Boston Architectural College building in the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

‘We just had to fend for ourselves’: BAC students describe uncertainties staying on campus for spring break with resources closed

By Madalyn Jimiera, Staff Writer / March 19, 2025

While the majority of Emerson students vacated the Little Building for spring break, one floor of the dorm building remained active, occupied with Boston...

The Women's March outside of the Massachusetts State House on March 8, 2025.

‘A battle for humanity’: Thousands show out for Women’s March on International Women’s Day

By Stella Huberlie / March 13, 2025
The Boston iteration of the Women’s March was part of a massive demonstration movement across the United States.
Mayor Michelle Wu answers questions after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of City Hall Plaza on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Mayor Wu testifies on Capitol Hill, defends Boston’s sanctuary status amid GOP pushback

By DJ Mara and Iselin Bratz / March 5, 2025

Boston continues to stand resolute in its sanctuary status as Mayor Michelle Wu testified on Capitol Hill Wednesday morning. Wu rejected republican accusations...

‘It's a really beautiful experience’: Muslim students observe Ramadan with help from Dining Center

‘It’s a really beautiful experience’: Muslim students observe Ramadan with help from Dining Center

By Rina Laby and Madalyn Jimiera / March 5, 2025

Around 4:15 a.m. Friday, Rokiya Elhak, president of the Muslim Student Association, awoke to a call from the organization’s vice president, Yunus Stevens,...

Commuters enter the MBTA Boylston Greenline station on Feb. 21, 2025. (Madalyn Jimiera/ Beacon Staff)

Back on Track? MBTA riders reflect on the Track Improvement Program

By Madalyn Jimiera, Staff Writer / February 26, 2025

The Boylston Green Line station, known for its iconic screech as trains pass through, fell silent on Feb. 22 and 23 for routine maintenance work. The silent...

A student with the Boston Workers Circle fifth graders class holds a sign in support of prison reform on Feb. 23 (Yogev Toby / Beacon Staff)

Why these fifth graders are advocating for prison reform

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / February 26, 2025

Supplied with crayons, a megaphone, and hand-painted cardboard signs, close to a dozen fifth graders formed a picket line in front of the State...

Around 20 protesters gather outside of Ansin building, glueing flyers listing their demands and hand-drawn stickers on the side of the building. (Madalyn Jimiera/ Beacon Staff)

‘Administration is forcing us to escalate.’ Boylston SJP demands revitalized protest policies, financial transparency, and divestment.

By Iselin Bratz, Madalyn Jimiera and Adri Pray / February 21, 2025

Dozens of protesters affiliated with Boylston Students for Justice in Palestine, a group of students advocating for a free Palestine, demonstrated in front...