Skip to Main Content
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

Norman Lear ‘44

Norman Lear ‘44, TV and Emerson legend, dies at 101

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 6, 2023

Norman Lear ‘44, the television writer and producer who revolutionized American sitcoms by addressing political and social issues, died on Dec. 5. He...

Madeline Gregorski, left, and Layla Palmer, right, win the Mackie and Emerson College Podcast Pitch Contest for their true crime show. (Amin S. Lotfi/Beacon Staff)

Duo wins Mackie and Emerson College Podcast Pitch Contest for their true crime show

By Sofia Waldron, Reels Editor / December 6, 2023

Madeline Gregorski and Layla Palmer’s “Snuffed: An Untrue Crime Podcast” recently won in the fiction category of Mackie and Emerson College’s Podcast...

Emerson College to integrate AI into classrooms

SGA discusses affirmative action ban, impact on Emerson admissions

By Jack Burns, Staff Writer / December 5, 2023

The Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in June 2023, making it illegal for colleges and universities around the U.S. to use race as a determining...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD responds to violation, larceny reports

By Olivia LeDuc, News Editor / December 5, 2023

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

ECSU discusses concerns about college’s lack of support for non-Emerson-affiliated organizations and alumni

ECSU discusses concerns about college’s lack of support for non-Emerson-affiliated organizations and alumni

By Zhihao Zhu, Beacon Correspondent / December 4, 2023

The Emerson College Students’ Union (ECSU) met on Wednesday to discuss issues with the college administration’s communication with the Emerson community...

Emerson fans cheering on the men's basketball team during their 2022 NEWMAC Semifinals game vs. Babson.

Is Emerson a sports school?

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Sports Editor & Website Editor / November 30, 2023

Emerson College is known for a lot of great things—from its creative programs, outstanding alumni network, or even as the school Nancy Wheeler chooses...

Emerson's Rohan Edwards (28), left, Aidan Ferguson (16), center, Thomas Pelino (18), right, celebrate as Thomas Pelino (18) scores a goal to help Emerson to a 2-2 draw with MIT at Rotch Playground in Boston, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Senior spotlights: Men’s soccer seniors and grads were impactful leaders

By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / November 30, 2023

The men’s soccer team finished their season 7-7-4, with four graduating seniors and two graduate students showing tremendous growth and leadership. Each...

Students hold walkout in 2B alley following attacks on Palestinian students in Vermont

Students hold walkout in 2B alley following attacks on Palestinian students in Vermont

By Hannah Nguyen and Maddie Khaw / November 29, 2023

Editor's Note: Although members of Emerson SJP asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, their identities are known to the Beacon. Dozens of...

Ronee Penoi

Director of Artistic Programming for ArtsEmerson Ronee Penoi takes on the role of interim Executive Director for ArtsEmerson and the Office of the Arts

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / November 29, 2023

Director of Artistic Programming for ArtsEmerson Ronee Penoi’s perception of the artistic field changed when she realized artistic recognition wasn’t...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD destroys contraband seized by HRE staff

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 28, 2023

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

Anthony Pinder, left, vice provost of internationalization and equity, and Shaya Gregory Poku, right, vice president for equity and social justice, host a keynote discussion on equity in internationalization as a part of Emerson International Education Week.

Pinder and Poku talk equity and diversity in study abroad programs at keynote event

By Bryan Hecht, News Editor / November 28, 2023

International Education Week at Emerson continued on Wednesday, Nov. 15 with a keynote conversation on equitable futures in global education between campus...

Student support surges for Emerson Union for Resident Assistants amid recognition denial

Student support surges for Emerson Union for Resident Assistants amid recognition denial

By Shannon Garrido, Editor-in-chief / November 23, 2023

On Friday, the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants (EURA) and members of the Emerson College Students’ Union (ECSU) organized a rally commencing at...

Senior guard Ella Bushee (#11) goes for a layup against Endicott on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Women’s basketball falls to Endicott, 76-69

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Sports Editor & Website Editor / November 22, 2023

The Emerson women’s basketball team got off to a solid start in non-conference play. Their early highlights included a home-opening victory and history...

Senior guard Trevor Arico (5) shoots against Salem State on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Men’s basketball wins home opener, falls at Suffolk for 2-3 start

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Sports Editor & Website Editor / November 22, 2023

The Emerson men’s basketball team began non-conference play on Nov. 10. They came out of a weekend tournament with a 1-1 record—beating host Colby...

ECSU discusses rally to protest union-busting during Nov. 15 meeting

ECSU discusses rally to protest union-busting during Nov. 15 meeting

By Kaitlyn Smitten, Staff Writer / November 20, 2023

On Wednesday, Emerson College Students’ Union (ECSU) met to discuss various issues, including their protest on Nov. 17, the change to their meeting structure,...

Emerson College to integrate AI into classrooms

SGA proposes giveback fund policy and supports RA union

By Sofia Waldron, Reels Editor / November 20, 2023

The Student Government Association voted unanimously to propose the giveback fund policy and a proposed resolution to support the RA union formation.  SGA...

Nicholas Renteria speaks at the panel while participants on Zoom listen in behind him.

Campus union leaders show solidarity at panel discussion

By Jack Burns, Staff Writer / November 16, 2023

Leaders from three prominent union organizations at Emerson emphasized the importance of union solidarity at an intimate panel discussion on Tuesday in...

College officials decide not to recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union

College officials decide not to recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / November 16, 2023

Emerson College officials announced Thursday that they will not recognize the Emerson Union for Resident Assistants as a union, despite more than 85 percent...

Senior midfielder Simone Barragan-Shaw (16) scores the game-winning goal against Coast Guard in the 2023 NEWMAC Semifinals.

Senior spotlights: Women’s soccer seniors were “iconic” and shaped the program

By Merritt Hughes, Multimedia Managing Editor / November 15, 2023

This year’s women’s soccer graduating seniors have it all: All-Conference players, bass-shredders, and karaoke stars. They made it to the quarterfinals...

Faculty union surpasses 135 days working off-contract as negotiations continue

Faculty union surpasses 135 days working off-contract as negotiations continue

By Maddie Khaw, Assistant News Editor / November 15, 2023

More than 135 days after their previous contract expired, members of Emerson's full-time faculty union are growing increasingly impatient as negotiations...