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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

BIG HOME BELOW

Big Body Kweeng performs at Outloud Boston 2025.

Queer voices share the stage at Boston’s inaugural Outloud Music Festival.

By Sam Lawrence, Video Editor / June 27, 2025

Muscular go-go dancers lined the stage as drag queen Trixie Mattel performed a DJ set well-suited towards her LA barbie doll persona. This performance...

Frank Grande in the "Boys" music video.

Frankie Grande’s new album is a bold reclamation of his identity, on his terms.

By Sam Lawrence, Video Editor / June 27, 2025

Frankie Grande is no stranger to performing. Spending his early days in the theater, the 42-year-old singer, actor, and dancer has played roles in Broadway...

Peach Pit

Peach Pit’s “microculture” of fans appears around the world

By Sam Shipman, Living Arts Editor / June 24, 2025

Peach Pit is what every indie pop band dreams of being: a success story. Their humble beginnings in 2016, based in Vancouver, were met with a burst of...

Protesters holding American flags in Los Angeles during the 'No Kings Day' protest on June 14, 2025 (Riley Goldman / Beacon Staff)

Amid ICE raids, LA shows up for ‘No Kings Day’ protests

By Jordan Pagkalinawan and Riley Goldman / June 19, 2025

Anger and activism rained down in the City of Angels on Saturday. From Burbank to Beverly Hills, tens of thousands denounced the Trump administration’s...

Tens of thousands of protesters march on the shut down Benjamin Franklin Parkway on their way to the Philadelphia Museum of Art during a "No Kings Day," protest on June 14, 2025 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

‘We’re not Russia, we’re not China, and we’re not North Korea’: Resistance becomes a Philly Thing in crowd-drawing ‘No Kings Day’ rally

By Bryan Hecht, News Editor / June 16, 2025

Despite light rain, over 80,000 gathered on Saturday at JFK Plaza in Center City, Philadelphia, before marching to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum...

In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump appeared in the spin room in Philadelphia alongside his campaign surrogates addressing reporters following the first presidential debate between him and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Federal judge blocks Trump move to strip Harvard of international student access

By Iselin Bratz, Content Managing Editor / May 23, 2025

On Thursday, the Trump administration revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. International students, both enrolling and...

Former President Biden diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, his office announces

Former President Biden diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, his office announces

By DJ Mara, Senior Political Reporter / May 18, 2025

On Friday, Former U.S. President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that spread to his bones on Friday, according...

An Emerson College banner on Boylston Street on May 1st, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File Photo)

As students move out, Emerson Sustainability helps unwanted items find a new home

By Rina Laby, Dept. City Editor / May 17, 2025

As the spring semester ended and move-out season commenced during the first week of May, Emerson students had the option to donate unwanted items to Griff...

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, Content Managing 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, Multimedia Managing 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, Editor-at-Large / 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, Dept. Campus Editor / 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...