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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

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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,...

Notice outside Emerson College’s Visitors Center explaining closures (Bryan Hecht/Beacon Staff)

College briefly halts admissions proceedings in light of arrests, students and student workers reflect on closures

By Iselin Bratz / May 15, 2024

Editor's Note: This article has been republished to include corrections and to acknowledge that admission activities were put on hold for two days and...

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 13, 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...

President Bernhardt speaks out on Town Hall and first year at Emerson

President Bernhardt speaks out on Town Hall and first year at Emerson

By Merritt Hughes, Co-Opinion Editor / May 6, 2024

Early Monday morning, President Jay Bernhardt shared a “Letter to the Community” addressing the April 29 Town Hall and his first year at Emerson.  Bernhardt...

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...

Photos of arrests of 118 protesters at Emerson College

Emerson Staff Union releases statement on April 25 arrests

By Merritt Hughes, Opinion / May 1, 2024

Following the arrest of 118 protesters on April 25, the Emerson Staff Union (SEIU888) condemned the violent police response, calling it “unacceptable.”  “Emerson...

Arrested students appeared at the Boston Municipal Court House on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. (Nick Peace for the Beacon).

Students receive community service for April 25 arrests

By Bryan Hecht and Iselin Bratz / May 1, 2024

Thirty protesters arrested on April 25 appeared on May 1 at 9 a.m. at the Boston Municipal Courthouse where continuances in their cases were issued by...

Emerson Hillel holds Seder for Jewish students to begin Passover

Emerson Hillel holds Seder for Jewish students to begin Passover

By Bryan Hecht / April 26, 2024

Last Monday, around five dozen Jewish students gathered in the Bill Bordy Theater for Emerson Hillel’s Passover Seder, a traditional ritual service and...

Police create a barricade at each end of Boylston Street from Piano Row to the Little Building and continue to arrest students on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emerson College amongst nationwide movement of college encampments protesting war in Gaza

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / April 26, 2024
Beginning last Sunday evening, Emerson College’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) built an encampment of tents, food stands, and blankets to show solidarity with the pro-Palestinian movement.
‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: Emerson Encampment ends in arrests of 118 protesters

‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: ‘Popular University Encampment’ ends in arrests of 118 protesters

By Sophia Pargas and Olivia LeDuc / April 25, 2024
The four-day “Popular University Encampment” ended in the arrest of 118 protesters in the 2 Boylston Place alley early this morning. 
Emerson encampment: A look at connection and chaos

Emerson encampment arrests: A look at moments of connection and chaos

By Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman and Iselin Bratz / April 25, 2024

During and after the arrests in the 'Popular University Encampment' at Emerson College on Thursday, protesters demonstrated the strength of their community...

SGA to hold vote of no confidence and call for President Jay Bernhardt to resign

SGA to hold vote of no confidence and call for President Jay Bernhardt to resign

By Katherine Cressman / April 25, 2024
Members of Emerson's Student Government Association (SGA) will hold a vote of no confidence and call for President Jay Bernhardt's resignation at their meeting on Friday, April 26 at 1 p.m. in the Bright Family Screening Room at the Paramount Center.
‘Students are scared to be outwardly Jewish’: Jewish students contemplate transferring following reported antisemitism on campus

‘Students are scared to be outwardly Jewish’: Jewish students contemplate transferring following reported antisemitism on campus

By Margaux Jubin, Staff Writer / April 24, 2024

Higher education institutions have been grounds for antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. Hamas’ attack and Israel’s retaliation...

Emerson College to integrate AI into classrooms

Emerson votes sophomore Nandan Nair as next Executive President of SGA

By Katherine Cressman, Staff Writer / April 24, 2024

Next year’s Internal Affairs board will see Nandan Nair as executive president, Kayla Armbruster as executive vice president, and Oliver Katz as executive...

Image courtesy of David Gerzof Richard

Emerson professor works to build bridges overseas

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / April 24, 2024

Public Relations Professor in the Department of Communications Studies David Gerzof Richard was named honorary consul of Iceland to Boston by the Ministry...

Pro-Palestine encampment tents line 2B alley at Emerson College on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Iselin Bratz/Beacon Staff)

‘Popular University Encampment’ enters day four

By Hannah Nguyen / April 24, 2024

The Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s “Popular University Encampment” in 2 Boylston Alley continued to its fourth day on Wednesday,...

Windwalker Security staff stand in the alley after the College emailed the community Tuesday evening announcing their presence.

‘Popular University Encampment’ continues into third day, college calls for security presence

By Hannah Nguyen / April 24, 2024
The Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s “Popular University Encampment” in 2 Boylston Alley entered its third day, with more events scheduled.
Who are the core leaders behind EmersonTogether?

Administration launches strategic planning process, ‘Emerson 2030’ to be implemented this December

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / April 23, 2024

Emerson’s strategic planning process, dubbed “Emerson 2030,” is currently underway, with plans to be implemented by the end of this year.  The...