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

News

An Emerson College banner on the side of The Colonial Building on Boylston street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Emerson doubles down on commitment to protect undocumented, international students

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / January 26, 2025

President Donald Trump’s vows for mass deportation and expansion of immigration law enforcement powers have generated hundreds of arrests across the...

A crowd protesting Trump's second term outside of the Massachusetts State House on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Mass. officials react to Trump inauguration

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / January 22, 2025

Soon after President Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term, he signed several executive orders to set his agenda into motion. Public officials across...

Students at Emerson’s Kasteel Well campus in the Limburg, Netherlands arrived for orientation just days before Trump was sworn in (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Some Americans said they would leave when Trump took office. Students studying abroad actually did.

Last November, late into the night, Kasteel Well students watched with bated breath as Donald Trump won the 2024 election. This semester, many said they...

Families of hostages held by Hamas hold a banner calling for a ceasefire on Jan. 4, 2025. (Yogev Toby/ Beacon Staff)

As Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire and hostage deal, some advocates demand lasting peace

By Yogev Toby, Projects Editor / January 15, 2025

TEL AVIV, Israel—Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage deal Wednesday after 15 months of fighting, negotiators from both sides announced.  The...

A cloud of smoke from the Palisades fire billows over a hill near the neighborhood of Encino on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Riley Goldman/ Beacon Staff)

As the LA wildfires encroach on Southern California, ELA proceeds as planned

By Iselin Bratz, Madalyn Jimiera and Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 12, 2025

As wildfires continue to rage in Southern California this week, students, faculty, and staff expecting to start the spring semester at Emerson Los Angeles...

A 45-foot-tall white spruce in Boston Common is lit up with a fireworks display at the culmination of the annual Holiday Lights display on Dec. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Boston, music stars, and Santa celebrate holiday tree lighting

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / December 6, 2024

Hundreds of people bundled up in thick scarves and fuzzy hats traversed bitter winds and near-freezing temperatures to gather around the 45-foot-tall...

A family poses with The Grinch during the tree lighting event in the Boston Common on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: 83rd annual Tree Lighting ceremony brings holiday lights back to the Boston Common

By Arthur Mansavage, Nick Peace and Bryan Hecht / December 6, 2024
Hundreds gathered in the Boston Common for the annual tree lighting event Thursday evening. See photos captured by...
(Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

The Christmas season begins with annual trellis lighting

By Rina Laby, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024

Boston’s annual trellis lighting means Christmas time is here. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park...

A MBTA worker inspects a redline subway car in the Park Street Station on March 21, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Red Line riders left frustrated and lost after final shutdowns to improve tracks

By Madalyn Jimiera, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024

The MBTA’s Red Line is now free of slow zones for the first time in at least 20 years after the final shutdown of areas from Nov. 17 through Nov. 23,...

Aili Montague was adopted at the age of two and a half. They struggled to find their identity within a family where they bore no resemblance. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

The end of China’s international adoption program has left adoptees with mixed emotions

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / November 22, 2024

For Aili Montague, being a Chinese adoptee makes up a significant part of their identity. Montague was adopted from the city of Huainan, China, in...

(McKenzie Cooper/ Beacon Staff)

The Boylston Chess Club: A testament to the world of chess

By McKenzie Cooper, Beacon Staff / November 21, 2024

Marked by only a plain sign hanging from an even plain-er building, there lives a strong-standing testament to the growing game of chess. Upon entering,...

Boston Police officers in riot gear preparing to disperse protesters blocking and bringing the Men’s March to a halt. (Yogev Toby/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: Hundreds of counterprotesters clash with police at anti-abortion demonstration in Boston

By Arthur Mansavage, Yogev Toby, Nick Peace and Sam Shipman / November 17, 2024

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Planned Parenthood on Commonwealth Avenue Saturday afternoon for the annual Men’s March against abortion....

Alireza Raisi, Mneesha Gellman, Nancy J. Lyons from the Marlboro Institute speaking on the Post-Election Panel at the Bill Bordy Theater on Nov. 12, 2024. (Julianna Jemima Badajos/ Beacon Correspondent)

Post-election panel discusses Trump-led future of reproductive rights, immigration, and foreign policy

By Julianna Jemima Badajos, Beacon Correspondent / November 13, 2024

A post-election panel held on Tuesday at the Bill Bordy Theater discussed how Donald Trump’s second presidency could impact reproductive rights, immigration,...

A brief history of Emerson’s campus in the Theater District

A brief history of Emerson’s campus in the Theater District

By Piper Greene, Beacon Correspondent / November 13, 2024

While some may consider Emerson’s campus quite small, many students will tell you that after some time in the area, many places along Boylston and...

Mass. Sen Elizabeth Warren speaks to a crowd of Massachusetts Democrats at SoWa Power Station hours after her re-election to the Senate on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

MassDems express hope and confidence on election night ahead of Trump’s comeback victory

By Bryan Hecht, Kasteel Well Bureau Chief / November 6, 2024

Everything except the spirits at SoWa Power Station was blue early on election night, as it hosted a watch party event for the Massachusetts Democratic...

A Vicinity Energy electric broiler in Boston. (Courtesy of Vincity Energy)

Emerson becomes first college to heat campus with carbon-neutral steam

By Kalli Dahlberg, Beacon Correspondent / October 30, 2024
Emerson has begun the process of switching to a newly developed carbon-free heating system called eSteam this semester.
Speaker Emerita Rep. Nancy Pelosi discusses her new book "The Art of Power" with Mass. Gov. Maura Healey at First Parish Church for Harvard Bookstore on Oct. 23, 2024 (Bryan Hecht / Beacon Staff).

Nancy Pelosi talks election, Jan. 6, and Gaza protests at Harvard Book Store event

By Bryan Hecht and Yogev Toby / October 26, 2024
Hundreds leaped out of their seats as former speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, entered the First Parish Church in Cambridge for an intimate conversation on politics, the future of democracy, and unity. 
The college illuminated Little Building with artwork and messages celebrating the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday. The display will run for two weeks.

Emerson College released its 2024 annual security report. We broke it down.

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / October 23, 2024
Overall crime, including liquor law violations, sexual harassment cases, and violent acts towards women, increased at Emerson College’s Boston campus in 2023
Everything you need to know for Election Day

Everything you need to know for Election Day

By Rachel Choi, Multimedia Managing Editor & Chief Copyeditor / October 23, 2024
As Election Day approaches, voters all over the nation are getting ready to head to the polls.
The Little Building at the corner of Boylston and Tremont streets. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

BAC students share their experience living in Little Building nearly halfway through the fall semester

By Madalyn Jimiera, Staff Writer / October 16, 2024
A once-empty floor of Emerson College’s Little Building is now home to Boston Architectural College (BAC) students who said they “became a family” after a month of living as a small pocket within the larger community.