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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

Campus News

Vice President for Administration and Finance Paul Dworkis

Emerson’s VP of administration and finance and CFO will retire at the end of the semester

By Hannah Nguyen / September 26, 2024

Emerson’s Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Paul Dworkis will retire after the fall semester, according to...

Left to Right: Tomas Macasaet, Kellyn Taylor, and Gabriella Garza work on rolling and cutting dough to make pretzel bites to cater snacks for a meeting for Emerson’s Generic Magazine on September 24, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

The Sisyphean Journey of Emerson’s Baking Club

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-Editor / September 25, 2024
After more than three years in the making, Emerson’s first official culinary student organization is fresh out of the oven. 
Emerson College to integrate AI into classrooms

SGA reaches deal with FPS over funds, meets college provost

By Hannah Woods, Beacon Correspondent / September 24, 2024
The Student Government Association agreed to allocate funds to Frames Per Second (FPS) and met with the provost and vice president of academic affairs during its meeting last Friday. 
A Emerson College sign above the colleges' visitor center on Boylston street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Emerson welcomes four new and one returning member to the Board of Trustees

By Adam Nuñez, Beacon Correspondent / September 23, 2024
The Emerson College Board of Trustees added four new members and re-installed one former trustee leading into the new school year, according to an Emerson Today article.
Nadan Nair, president of the Student Government Association. (Daniel Vinicio Abreu/ Beacon Correspondent)

‘I’m very hopeful for what the year can bring’: SGA President Nandan Nair discusses the new academic year

By Katherine Cressman, News Co-Editor / September 18, 2024
Junior Nandan Nair was elected executive president of Emerson’s Student Government Association (SGA) last spring.
People walking past Emerson College buildings on Boylston Street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

The college updated its protest policy. Some argue it’s a suppression of free speech.

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / September 6, 2024
Emerson unveiled a new initiative, updated its code of conduct, and released an interim policy in August, generating a wave of concern among students, faculty, and staff over free speech.
President Jay Bernhardt spoke in front of faculty about his plans for the college’s future after the fallout over pro-Palestinian protests and subsequent arrests.

Bernhardt pledges to prioritize enrollment, community building, and Emerson branding

By Hannah Nguyen / September 4, 2024

In the wake of campus turmoil last spring, President Jay Bernhardt pledged to prioritize enrollment, strengthen the community and build Emerson’s brand...

Emerson launches initiative to rebuild the community in upcoming academic year

Emerson launches initiative to rebuild the community in upcoming academic year

By DJ Mara / August 24, 2024
Following the events that unfolded in the past spring semester, the college released EmersonTogether, which aims to unite the college community, officials said.
Emerson's downtown Boston campus.

Emerson lays off 10 staff members, suspends two programs

By Hannah Nguyen / August 13, 2024

Emerson laid off 10 staff members and eliminated two programs Tuesday, college officials said in an email sent to staff and faculty. “We are grateful...

An Emerson College Police car.

Construction worker dies after falling from scaffolding at Cutler Majestic Theatre, police say

By DJ Mara / August 10, 2024

A construction worker died Friday afternoon after falling from scaffolding outside the Cutler Majestic Theatre, police said. Boston police reported...

The Little Building on a rainy day.

Emerson will house BAC students in the Little Building for one year

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor in Chief / August 1, 2024

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include more details about the year-long partnership. Emerson College will provide housing for Boston...

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

Emerson will lay off staff and faculty positions due to enrollment decline partly caused by campus protests, college says

By Hannah Nguyen, Iselin Bratz and DJ Mara / June 22, 2024

Emerson College will lay off faculty and staff and not fill some vacant positions in response to reduced enrollment, which it said was partly caused by...

Jim Hoppe (Middle) and Athletic Director Pat Nicol (Right) presenting the NEWMAC championship trophy to the Women's Soccer team in November of 2022.

Student Affairs VP Jim Hoppe to depart Emerson in July

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / June 1, 2024

Jim Hoppe, the vice president of Student Affairs and dean for Campus Life, will leave Emerson in mid-July for Bowdoin College, where he will serve as the...

Walker Building of Emerson College

Affiliated faculty votes against no-confidence in Bernhardt

By Hannah Nguyen / May 19, 2024
With nearly 40 percent of the 280 affiliated faculty members participating in the vote, 64 members voted against the resolution, 42 voted in favor, and 10 abstained.
A student waves a Palestinian flag and holds up their hand, on which is written, “Ceasefire now.” (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emotions split at commencement amid pro-Palestine protests

By Sam Shipman / May 18, 2024

A sense of excitement and nervousness filled the air of Agganis Arena as friends and family of Emerson graduates filed in for the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.   This...

'Our voice echoes on campuses across the world': 2024 Senior Commencement Speaker Joe Nalieth's speech

‘Our voice echoes on campuses across the world’: 2024 Senior Commencement Speaker Joe Nalieth’s speech

By Joe Nalieth, Guest Author / May 17, 2024

Editor's Note: This speech has been edited by the Beacon for grammar and AP style. It has also been advised and edited by Clarisa Carrillo, Deion Hawkins,...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the Little Building.

Faculty votes not to call for Bernhardt’s resignation

By Hannah Nguyen / May 14, 2024

Following a special faculty meeting on May 6, the faculty assembly voted via email not to call for President Jay Bernhardt’s resignation. Around...

Students left messages on the face of the Ansin building using sticky notes and posters, with the signatures of over 1,000 Emerson students who want ECSU to negotiate a contract with the college on their behalf. (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

On May Day, protesters gather in Boston Common, 2B Alley, and outside Emerson’s Ansin Building

Over 100 protesters marched through the Boston Common and on campus Wednesday afternoon in honor of May Day and in response to the college’s restrictions...

Narcan available on campus

Narcan now available for no cost on campus

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / April 3, 2024
This semester, the Emerson chapter of the National Team Awareness Combatting Overdose (TACO) partnered with the Emerson Wellness Center (EWC) to offer Narcan on campus. 
An attendee decorates a canvas “brick” corresponding to a particular donation amount at the Soldier On event on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Hannah Nguyen/Beacon Staff)

PR students partner with local nonprofit serving unhoused veterans

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / April 3, 2024
Emerson public relations students partnered with Soldier On, a Pittsfield-based nonprofit, in planning an event to raise awareness about veteran homelessness.