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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 courts Marlboro students with tour on Valentine’s Day

By Jacob Seitz / February 13, 2020
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The college was investigated by the Office of Civil Rights twice in the past five years for complaints of disability discrimination

On a day of love, Emerson College will welcome an expected 46 Marlboro College students to the Boston campus, hoping to charm them with their potential future home, according to a college official.

Emerson College verbally agreed to merge with Marlboro in November, taking in the remaining students from the closing institution, its faculty, and its campus—which Emerson plans to sell—in exchange for providing Marlboro students with comparable degree programs. As part of the proposed deal, Emerson will receive what is left of the college’s endowment—valued at $30 million—after Marlboro pays off its outstanding debt and gives severance packages to its staff.

Marlboro also signed four different transfer agreements with other colleges by the beginning of 2020, allowing their students to transfer to other institutions for equal or lesser tuition. With these new negotiations, it’s currently unclear how many Marlboro students intend to come to Emerson.

According to the visit agenda, students are expected to arrive on campus at 10:30 a.m., meeting in the Visitor Center with Vice President and Dean of Campus Life James Hoppe, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Erik Muurisepp, Assistant Vice President for Student Success Sharron Duffy, and Assistant Dean for Campus Life Chris Daly. The trip marks the second time the Vermont students will make the two-hour trek to the campus.

The students will split into two groups, alternating between touring the campus and attending an academic advising question and answer session with Dean of the Institute for Liberal Arts Amy Ansell and Provost Michaele Whelan.

The students will have lunch in the Dining Center and then an “informal conversation” with Vice President for Equity and Social Justice Sylvia Spears.

The college will hold a student resource fair for the Vermont students in the Lion’s Den for Marlboro students to meet with offices such as the Office of Financial Aid, Student Care and Support, the Athletics Office, and the Student Engagement and Leadership Office.

Students are expected to depart from the Boston campus around 3:45 p.m. and make the trip back up to Potash Hill.

About the Contributor
Jacob Seitz
Jacob Seitz, Staff Writer
Jacob Seitz is originally from Central Ohio and resides in Cambridge. He is currently a staff writer at The Beacon, having previously served as Assistant Express Editor. He was previously Assistant Editor of The Record, the student newspaper at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. He has covered The Women’s March, The Straight Pride Parade, and has reported on the Massachusetts State House for the Beacon. He led The Beacon’s coverage of Emerson College’s acquisition of Marlboro College, and has been published in The Brattleboro Commons in Brattleboro, Vt.