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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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Emerson College 2 Boylston Place Encampment

Police body camera footage shows use of force against protesters, phone call from Bernhardt to police

By Adri Pray and Yogev Toby / April 24, 2025
In an extensive public records request, The Beacon obtained nearly 10 hours of footage documenting the night of the arrests from 36 body cameras worn by state troopers and cruiser-mounted cameras from the Massachusetts State Police.
Chalked expressions on the 2b alleyway walls. (Photo courtesy Margaux Jubin)

‘I no longer felt safe on campus:’ Jewish students who left Emerson recount their experiences

By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / April 23, 2025

Mia Blachman began her journey at her dream school, Emerson College, in the fall of 2023. It was exactly what she hoped for—a new city, interesting...

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

Emerson Jewish students divided on claims of antisemitism on campus

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / April 23, 2025

As federal crackdowns on higher education intensify, Emerson College, like many other schools, finds itself contending with how best to balance claims...

People walking in the 2B alley

Two resident assistants fired weeks before semester ends for alleged pro-Palestine protest involvement

By Rylie Burns and Meg Richards / April 17, 2025
College officials told one former RA to vacate their room less than two weeks before the end of the semester.
(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon staff)

Faculty member uses Emerson parent Facebook group to identify and report protesters

By Merritt Hughes and Adri Pray / April 16, 2025

“Emerson Parents Against Antisemitism” began with an introductory message like any other college parent Facebook group.  “Hello all. This...

Jumpstart Emerson Site Manager Liz Weber works with students at one of their on-site locations (Courtesy Jumpstart)

Jumpstart to shut down on-site programming amid federal funding uncertainty

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / April 16, 2025

Come June, Jumpstart Emerson will officially close its doors for its on-site programming due to a reduction in federal funding caused by the Trump administration's...

Erin Stotts (squatting right) on set. (Courtesy Terry Hou)

Meet Emerson’s intimacy coordinators

By Max Ardrey, Dept. Living Arts Editor / April 9, 2025

Film sets are stressful, but when the crew is made up of exhausted students, they run the risk of being panic-inducing. Visual media arts students learn...

(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Prospective students consider financial aid before ‘picturing’ themselves at Emerson

By Bryce Heilmann, Senior Living/Arts Reporter / April 9, 2025

While Massachusetts residents filled Boston Common on April 5 for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest, prospective students filled Emerson’s halls...

Rosario works in his cubicle at EPI's office on Emerson's Boston campus. (Yogev Toby / Beacon staff)

How the Emerson Prison Initiative gave Charlie Rosario his life back

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / April 9, 2025

Charlie Rosario promised his mother he would get an education.  Three years ago, at age 38, he stood wearing his cap and gown in front of a crowd...

Maria Corrigan (left), Thomas Vogel (middle), and Randy Harrison (Right) pose for a photo with their teaching award certificates in the Semel Theatre on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff).

Emerson College recognizes three educators for teaching excellence

By Sage Jezierski and Madalyn Jimiera / April 2, 2025

Out of over 200 nominees, three Emerson College professors shone the brightest this academic year, receiving recognition for their work with a specialized...

Anna Feder, FSJP, speaks at the town hall on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff, File Photo)

Anna Feder, former Bright Lights curator, sues Emerson for wrongful termination, alleging targeting for ‘personal political activism’

By Adri Pray, Editor-in-Chief / April 2, 2025

Anna Feder, former curator of the Bright Lights Film Series, filed a lawsuit against Emerson College on Tuesday alleging that the college wrongfully terminated...

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

Get ready to bend and snap: Jennifer Coolidge is delivering the 2025 commencement address

By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / April 2, 2025
Jennifer Coolidge, an Emmy and Golden Globe–winning actress, will deliver the commencement address to Emerson’s graduating class of 2025 on May 11, the college announced Monday.
Thousands gather in Somerville Massachusetts on Wed. 26, 2025 to protest the detainment of a tufts student by ICE. (Hannah Brueske/Beacon Staff)

Thousands rally at Tufts University to decry ICE detainment of Rumeysa Öztürk

By Meg Richards and Hannah Brueske / March 26, 2025

Thousands of protesters gathered to demand justice for Rumeysa Öztürk the day after her arrest on Wednesday beneath the windmill in Powder House Square...

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu pays tribute to members of the figure skating community at the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday, March 26. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

ISU World Figure Skating Championships honor victims of Jan. 29 plane crash

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / March 26, 2025

The International Skating Union World Figure Skating Championships are underway at TD Garden, with athletes vying to secure spots in the 2026 Milan...

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

Jewish Emerson faculty, staff sign letter denouncing arrests of student activists nationally, reject ‘cynical’ antisemitism claims

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / March 26, 2025

Half a dozen Jewish Emerson staff and faculty signed a letter on March 11 denouncing the arrest of Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian...

Mayor Michelle Wu at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reopening of City Hall Plaza on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

‘No one tells Boston how to take care of our own.’ Mayor Wu delivers 2025 State of the City address.

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / March 19, 2025

Mayor Michelle Wu delivered her third State of the City address Wednesday night at MGM Music Hall in Fenway, updating key stakeholders and constituents...

President Jay Bernhardt. (Naia Driscoll/Beacon Correspondent)

President Bernhardt unveils ‘Extraordinary Emerson 2030,’ meant to guide institution to 150th anniversary

By Adri Pray and Iselin Bratz / March 19, 2025

President Jay Bernhardt unveiled Emerson College’s strategic plan earlier this week, a list of priorities meant to serve as a “roadmap” to guide...

Cars passing in front of a Boston Architectural College building in the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

‘We just had to fend for ourselves’: BAC students describe uncertainties staying on campus for spring break with resources closed

By Madalyn Jimiera, Staff Writer / March 19, 2025

While the majority of Emerson students vacated the Little Building for spring break, one floor of the dorm building remained active, occupied with Boston...

Director Wendy Sachs speaks at a panel discussion with journalism professor Tim Riley and Emerson students Lily Minkoff and Arthur Mansavage. (Yogev Toby / Beacon Staff)

Faculty host screening of ‘October 8,’ documentary following pro-Palestine encampments and antisemitism

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / March 6, 2025

Emerson’s Department of Journalism hosted a screening of “October 8” to an audience of 20 Emerson College community members, most of whom were members...

Emerson College buildings in Downtown Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Despite Emerson’s promise to provide meaningful financial support, students feel neglected and ignored

By Avary Amaral, Hannah Brueske and Sage Jezierski / March 6, 2025

In 2023, Oscar Grubelić was excited to start studying film at Emerson College, satisfied to have received what he felt was a “solid” financial...