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The Thursday Paper
March 20, 2025 • Volume 78, Issue 21
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

The Thursday Paper
March 20, 2025 • Volume 78, Issue 21
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”...

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...

People sitting at a Boston park during the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Zhihao Wu/ Beacon archives)
Zoom fatigue and dorm room hangouts: How COVID-19 shaped the Emerson experience five years ago
By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / March 19, 2025

As the head of the musical theater department, Amelia Broome has always considered Emerson a beautiful place to be—an environment full...

(Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Archives, FIle Photo)
College announces extended hours in the Lion’s Den for the rest of the semester in response to SGA initiative
By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / March 18, 2025

The Lion’s Den, one of Emerson’s busiest social spots, will now be open on the weekends and operate on extended hours, according to an email...

Emerson College buildings in Downtown Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)
Emerson among dozens of universities under federal investigation for ‘antisemitic discrimination and harassment’
By Adri Pray, Editor-in-Chief / March 10, 2025
The Department of Education threatened to take action against the college if it does not improve its efforts to protect Jewish students on campus.
Emerson College buildings in Downtown Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)
Letter: Emerson needs a real plan to rebuild our campus culture
By Angus Abercrombie, Guest Author / March 19, 2025

It’s been almost a year since our campus watched 118 people get violently arrested in the Boylston Place alleyway. The next day, I worked to...

The Emerson College Little Building dorm on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)
Letter: Emerson College must act now to protect its most vulnerable students
By Boylston Student Union, Boylston Students for Justice in Palestine, Boston Common Coalition for the Homeless, Guest Authors / March 19, 2025
As students and members of the Emerson College community, we are demanding immediate action from the administration to protect our most vulnerable peers—immigrant, refugee, and international students—whose safety is increasingly at risk.
Emerson College Walker Building in Boston on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)
Letter: I have no syllabus for teaching during a fascist takeover of the country
By P Carl, Guest Author / March 19, 2025

I returned to campus yesterday to teach my first class since spring break. I rarely go anywhere over spring break, but this year, I decided I...

Illustration Kellyn Taylor
Why we need more contemporary media
By Everest Leach, Beacon Contributor / March 19, 2025

“The idea of having to photograph a car makes me ill. And the idea of photographing a cellphone is just … death. So, no.” That’s what...

Teddy Abrams conducts the BSO in Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story" (Courtesy Hilary Scott)
Boston Symphony Orchestra serves up Tchaikovsky, Bernstein, and Tilson Thomas
By Max Ardrey, Dept. Living Arts Editor / March 19, 2025

Let’s see if you’ve heard this one: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Leonard Bernstein all walk into a bar… The...

Courtesy of Jack Karnatz
Neal Francis explores connection, adulthood, and the groove on ‘Return to Zero’
By Sam Shipman, Kasteel Well Staff Writer / March 19, 2025

The moment Neal Francis began his interview with The Beacon, he said hello before taking a moment to light incense. Dressed in a slick jumpsuit...

Talia Suskauer and Max Chernin in the National Tour of PARADE, photo by Joan Marcus
Review: ‘Parade’ marches into the Colonial, telling a story that is still timely today
By Hannah Hughes, Staff Writer / March 19, 2025

The Tony Award-winning revival of Jason Robert Brown’s musical “Parade” marched into Emerson’s Colonial Theater on March 11.  “Parade”...

Shana Figueroa (pictured left) on set of "Forever War." (Courtesy of Shana Figueroa)
After 20 years in the Air Force, Shana Figueroa targets her creative dreams
By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / March 19, 2025

What do you do when you’re stuck losing over and over again? The film “Forever War” opens with John, a veteran soldier who receives...

Illustration by Rachel Choi
Opinion: Emerson needs to expand its sports horizons
By Iselin Bratz, Anna Knepley and Daniel O’Toole / March 19, 2025

With admissions season in full swing, many colleges across the country have begun boasting their unique academic programs, student organizations,...

Illustration by Rachel Choi
Top contenders and key storylines to watch: What to expect from women’s March Madness
By Meg Richards, Managing Editor / March 19, 2025

As March Madness kicks off, all eyes are on the court for the next two weeks—but don’t discount the ladies. These teams are stacked with...

March Madness begins: The top teams and must-watch first-round games in the Men's tournament
March Madness begins: The top teams and must-watch first-round games in the Men’s tournament
By Hongyi Ji, Staff Writer / March 19, 2025

March is here. After the brackets were revealed on CBS, the wild annual spectacle is officially underway. The Southeastern Conference (SEC)...

Senior attacker Benson Offit against Wheaton on March 15, 2025 (Courtesy of Naia Driscoll).
Men’s lacrosse falls to Wheaton in NEWMAC opener
By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / March 18, 2025

Supporters packed the stands of Rotch Field on a sunny 56-degree Saturday to watch the Emerson men’s lacrosse team face the Wheaton College...

What is the ePaper?
Physical print issues can be found at the Emerson College Boston campus in 172 Tremont, Little Building, Colonial Building, Walker Building, the Dining Hall, 2B, and Piano Row. For our online readers you can read the the complete print edition online in its exact layout by clicking the image below.