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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

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Emerson College staff member stuck in freight elevator

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / April 11, 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 sanitation worker cleaning a room.

Maintenance staff risk safety to protect community

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / April 8, 2021

When maintenance worker Ramiro Soto returns home after a long day of cleaning Emerson buildings, he disinfects his backpack, jumps in the shower, and places...

Chair of the Performing Arts Department Bob Colby, who died April 5, 2021

Late performing arts chair leaves behind legacy of empathy

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / April 8, 2021

After 44 years at Emerson, students and colleagues fondly recalled Robert Colby as a committed theatre practitioner, a trusted mentor, and by many, a valued...

Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies.

New Interdisciplinary Studies major to replace IDIP

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor / April 8, 2021

The newly created Interdisciplinary Studies major is set to supplant the Individually Designed Interdisciplinary Program in the Marlboro Institute beginning...

Kappa Gamma Chi spring 2021 new member education class.

Emerson fraternities and sororities pledge institutional reimagining

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / April 8, 2021

Emerson’s Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations are facing an internal reckoning as they seek to “reimagine” themselves to make recruitment...

The Office of Financial Aid in the Union Bank Building.

Some students turn to crowdfunding to pay for Emerson education

By Luna Theus, Staff Writer / April 8, 2021

With a yearly price tag of $50,240 for tuition and fees, $69,712 for in-state students living on campus, and an average financial aid package of $17,000,...

The Access Advocacy Project Instagram graphic.

Student Disability Union debuts Advocacy Project intended to increase college-wide accessibility

By Dana Gerber and Charlie McKenna / April 7, 2021

Access: Student Disability Union unveiled The Access Advocacy Project on Tuesday, an initiative that includes a list of action steps they are calling on...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

ECPD faces backlash for social media posts on autism

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / April 7, 2021

Content Warning: This article discusses harmful and ableist stereotypes against autistic people, violence against autistic people and disabled people,...

Meal bags being taken to quarantined and isolated students in the Paramount residence hall.

Positive COVID-19 tests and tightened restrictions rock campus life

Emerson canceled all in-person student activities beginning at 5 p.m. for at least the next seven days on Wednesday, the result of an unprecedented spike...

Pictured above, Performing Arts Department Chair Bob Colby.

Robert Colby, chair of performing arts, dies at 70

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / April 5, 2021

Robert Colby, chair of the performing arts department who worked at Emerson for 44 years, died early Monday morning in Beth Israel Hospital after a lengthy...

About 70 staff union members lined the hallway elbow-to-elbow on the lower level of the Max Mutchnick Campus Center while college administrators entered room L-151 for a contract negotiation with the union’s bargaining committee in April. Chris Van Buskirk / Beacon Archive.

No benefit restoration in sight despite strong financial outlook

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / April 5, 2021

Emerson’s financial state remains stable as the end of the 2021 fiscal year draws near, but college officials remain uncertain when they can reinstitute...

The Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym

Emerson reports highest COVID spike to date, reportedly traced to athletic teams

By Charlie McKenna and Dana Gerber / April 3, 2021

Emerson reported 15 new positive COVID-19 tests on Saturday split over two days of testing—just two days after an email from the college warned of increased...

Emerson's 2010 Commencement ceremony. (Courtesy Emerson College, File Photo)

Emerson institutes safety precautions for in-person graduation

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor / April 3, 2021

Emerson announced its in-person commencement at Fenway Park will feature socially distanced pods for students and their guests, as well as mandatory mask-wearing,...

Dean of the School of Communication Raul Reis

School of Communication unveils new Discovery Program for undeclared first-year students

By Bailey Allen, Former news editor / April 1, 2021

Emerson’s School of Communication is debuting a new Discovery Program for incoming first-year students who intend to study communications, but are unsure...

The new awnings installed in the 2B alley.

Awnings installed in 2B Alley

By Patrick Pierce / April 1, 2021

Emerson installed five awnings covering outdoor seating in the 2 Boylston Place alleyway on March 5, in an effort to keep the five tables in the alley...

Students waiting in front of the Lion's Den.

Students report dissatisfaction with flexibility week as spring break replacement

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor / April 1, 2021

Emerson’s “Flexibility Week”—meant to provide students with a reduced work load for the week—was received poorly by many students, who cited...

Fenway Park. (Alec Klusza/ File Photo)

The classes of 2020 and 2021 weigh up Fenway Park commencement ceremony

By Frankie Rowley and Ann E. Matica / April 1, 2021

Seven upcoming and recent graduates expressed varying levels of excitement following Emerson’s Tuesday evening announcement that the college will hold...

A sign showing modified bathroom capacity.

Emerson restrictions lift as cases increase in state

By Charlie McKenna / April 1, 2021

Coronavirus cases are once again on the rise in Massachusetts—topping 2,000 reported in a single day four times in the last week after not clearing that...

Lee Pelton with members of the program.

Emerson Prison Initiative set to resume in-person classes

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / April 1, 2021

The Emerson Prison Initiative is set to resume in-person instruction for incarcerated students at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Concord on...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Emerson College Police responded to bypass of security at the Union Savings Bank building

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / March 31, 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...