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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

A Student Government Association meeting in spring 2020.

SGA passes new legislation demanding modified spring break

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / March 11, 2021

The Student Government Association passed its first piece of spring semester legislation, “An Act To Advocate For The Community’s Well-Being” Monday...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Graffiti found on Emerson College athletic facility

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / March 10, 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...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

Inaugural ‘Emerson Week’ to honor college traditions, graduates

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / March 9, 2021

The college announced a new community-wide event, “Emerson Week,” via a Tuesday email, set to take place in May to honor traditions and celebrate the...

SGA at a Fall 2019 Joint Session meeting.

SGA pushes for alternative spring break amid burnout concerns

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / March 6, 2021

Students are championing the Student Government Association’s “Week of Rest” initiative, which calls for an alternative spring break in response...

A sign on the window of Emerson's coronavirus testing site at Tufts Medical Center.

Emerson launches new daily status checker

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

Emerson launched a new “daily status checker” Friday morning, which will enable community members to access information about their compliance with...

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.

CSD department grapples with hybrid learning

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / March 4, 2021

Since the onset of the pandemic last spring, the Communication Sciences and Disorders department has adapted its program to function remotely, despite...

Cristina Kotz Cornejo, the current VMA Chair.

First woman of color VMA Chair prioritizes inclusion, sustainability

By Alec Klusza and Ann E. Matica / March 4, 2021

Since ascending to chair of the Department of Visual & Media Arts in July—becoming the first woman of color to take the helm of the college’s most...

A sign of the COVID testing site of Emerson College and Tufts University.

Spring semester sees rise of invalid COVID-19 tests, new ‘inconclusive’ category

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor / March 4, 2021

This semester, the college has reported a slight rise in COVID-19 tests coming back “invalid” and has introduced a new “inconclusive” category...

75 Arlington St, the Building where the Boston Foundation office is located in.

Pelton poised to reshape Boston Foundation presidency

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / March 4, 2021

After Emerson President M. Lee Pelton steps into his new role as CEO and President of The Boston Foundation on June 1, he will be tasked with setting new...

Emerson is now mask-optional in all campus spaces except classrooms.

Administrators suggest restriction loosening on the horizon

By Charlie McKenna / March 4, 2021

With coronavirus cases on the decline in Boston and in Massachusetts and the gradual lift of restrictions, positive COVID-19 tests at Emerson have begun...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Bypasses of security in the Little Building, fire alarm set off at Park Plaza Hotel

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / March 3, 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 snow-blanketed neighborhood in Austin, TX under a rolling blackout

For Texan Emersonians, the utilities crisis highlights unignorable issues

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / February 27, 2021

The massive utilities failures in Texas sparked by a winter storm last week created anxiety for Emerson students from the Lone Star State—with many expressing...

Richard Fucillo stands in front of the State House.

Emerson senior mounts State House campaign

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / February 25, 2021

The contest to fill an open seat for the Massachusetts House of Representatives now includes an unusual face in state politics—an Emerson College senior. Richard...

An elevator on campus.

Audio cues installed in elevators after student push for campus accessibility

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / February 25, 2021

More than a year after a student filed an accessibility request to install audio cues in on-campus elevators, which would announce the direction the elevator...

Presidential Working Group sends final report to Pelton

Presidential Working Group sends final report to Pelton

By Katie Redefer, Former Staff Writer / February 25, 2021

President M. Lee Pelton accepted the Presidential Working Group’s final draft of recommendations for Emerson’s Title IX processes on Tuesday—a draft...

Paramount Building in snow.

Lack of communication leaves students in campus quarantine housing in the dark

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / February 25, 2021

Several students who spent time in Emerson’s quarantine housing during the spring semester have reported inconsistent protocol communication, faulty...

People walking on Boylston Street.

With spring break canceled, students express burnout fears

By Alec Klusza, Assistant News Editor / February 25, 2021

As the college nears its would-be spring break, some students worry about the mental and academic burnout that might accompany more than three consecutive...

A Visual and Media Arts class under COVID-19 safety restrictions.

Another semester of hybrid learning garners disappointment

The college’s plan to extend “flex” learning, a mix of virtual and in-person classes, into the fall 2021 semester was met with a mix of approval...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Stolen property and contraband found in Little Building

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / February 24, 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...

Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 1,114 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / February 23, 2021

Massachusetts reported 1,114 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, a decline from the 1,150 new infections reported Monday. The death toll rose by 30.  Tuesday...