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

Ann E. Matica

Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor

Ann Matica graduated in 2022. She served as deputy news editor for The Beacon. She has lived in Massachusetts her whole life and transferred to Emerson College in the fall of 2019. She previously worked as a reporter for an online publication for Holyoke Community College called Apex.

Latest from Ann E. Matica
New England Treatment Access (NETA) in Brookline.

Boston dispensaries turn a new leaf amid pandemic

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
May 1, 2021

Pure Oasis, the first recreational dispensary to open in a major city on the East Coast, opened its doors for the first time in Boston on March 9, 2020,...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Three students stuck in stairwell of Little Building, leaflets found on Walker Building

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 21, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

A clinician fills a syringe with a COVID-19 vaccine from a vial.

State vaccine eligibility expands to cover all Emerson students

When the clock struck midnight on Monday, 1.7 million Massachusetts residents—including any Emerson students who didn’t yet qualify—became eligible...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Suspicious person reported in Little Building, fire alarm set off at Boston Park Plaza Hotel

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 15, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

The new awnings installed in the 2B alley.

Emerson lifts most restrictions as COVID fears ease

Emerson will lift most of the restrictions implemented on April 7 to slow down the unprecedented spread of COVID-19 amongst the community since late March...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Emerson College staff member stuck in freight elevator

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 11, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

A sanitation worker cleaning a room.

Maintenance staff risk safety to protect community

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 8, 2021

When maintenance worker Ramiro Soto returns home after a long day of cleaning Emerson buildings, he disinfects his backpack, jumps in the shower, and places...

Meal bags being taken to quarantined and isolated students in the Paramount residence hall.

Positive COVID-19 tests and tightened restrictions rock campus life

Emerson canceled all in-person student activities beginning at 5 p.m. for at least the next seven days on Wednesday, the result of an unprecedented spike...

Fenway Park

The classes of 2020 and 2021 weigh up Fenway Park commencement ceremony

By Frankie Rowley and Ann E. Matica
April 1, 2021

Seven upcoming and recent graduates expressed varying levels of excitement following Emerson’s Tuesday evening announcement that the college will hold...

Lee Pelton with members of the program.

Emerson Prison Initiative set to resume in-person classes

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 1, 2021

The Emerson Prison Initiative is set to resume in-person instruction for incarcerated students at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Concord on...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Emerson College Police responded to bypass of security at the Union Savings Bank building

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 31, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

One of the graphics POWER used to promote #ESOCWeekofAction in November.

Community Equity Action Plan reports updates from faculty, advisory group

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 30, 2021

Emerson released an update on its Community Equity Action Plan Tuesday afternoon, outlining progress on the list of demands that were brought forward during...

Bostons Fenway Park empty

In-person commencement to take place at Fenway Park

By Ann E. Matica and Charlie McKenna
March 30, 2021

Emerson plans to hold an in-person commencement at Fenway Park alongside the previously announced virtual ceremony, according to President M. Lee Pelton's...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Injured student identified in Piano Row Residence Hall

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 26, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

A janitor working in the dorm hallway.

Overworked during pandemic, staff fight to have benefits reinstated

By Ann E. Matica and Camilo Fonseca
March 18, 2021

With inflated workloads, slashed benefits, and continuing tense negotiations with Emerson,  college staff members are nearing a breaking point—after...

Students at Nation Broadcast Society meeting.

Student organizations still fighting through pandemic-era restrictions

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 18, 2021

Student organizations, a focal point of the Emerson experience for many, have weathered a year in the pandemic despite an abundance of logistical hurdles...

11 undergraduate students of 11 different majors at the college.

Major changes: A year of pandemic learning

Of Emerson’s 3,490 currently enrolled undergraduate students, no two have the same learning experience. Some visual and media arts students handle cameras...

The offices of Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services.

Students’ mental health struggles persist as pandemic drags on

By Ann E. Matica and Frankie Rowley
March 18, 2021

Trigger Warning: Mentions of mental health issues and suicide.  Students are continuing to struggle with their mental health one year into living through...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Graffiti found on Emerson College athletic facility

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 10, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

The Communication Sciences and Disorders Department.

CSD department grapples with hybrid learning

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
March 4, 2021

Since the onset of the pandemic last spring, the Communication Sciences and Disorders department has adapted its program to function remotely, despite...

Cristina Kotz Cornejo, the current VMA Chair.

First woman of color VMA Chair prioritizes inclusion, sustainability

By Alec Klusza and Ann E. Matica
March 4, 2021

Since ascending to chair of the Department of Visual & Media Arts in July—becoming the first woman of color to take the helm of the college’s most...

An intimate look inside the lives of student sex workers

An intimate look inside the lives of student sex workers

By Ann E. Matica and Dana Gerber
February 26, 2021

On the fifth floor of the Colonial residence hall, every Sunday night around 6:30 p.m., Jenna got ready for work. She stripped off her clothes, found...

An elevator on campus.

Audio cues installed in elevators after student push for campus accessibility

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
February 25, 2021

More than a year after a student filed an accessibility request to install audio cues in on-campus elevators, which would announce the direction the elevator...

A Visual and Media Arts class under COVID-19 safety restrictions.

Another semester of hybrid learning garners disappointment

The college’s plan to extend “flex” learning, a mix of virtual and in-person classes, into the fall 2021 semester was met with a mix of approval...

Brandin Dear, associate dean & director of counseling, health, wellness.

Former Harvard clinician Brandin Dear to head merger of counseling, health, and wellness offices

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
February 18, 2021

Brandin Dear, who filled the newly minted position of associate dean and director of counseling, health, and wellness earlier this month, will spearhead...

Valentina Amaro holds up a #ThisIsEmerson sign during the walk out.

Emerson administration, faculty, and staff respond to Emerson Students of Color Week of Action demands

By Ann E. Matica and Diti Kohli
February 14, 2021

Emerson administrators said they would meet with students of color virtually in an effort to create a more equitable environment in an email sent on Feb....

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Two non-Emerson members found in Little Building, fire alarm set off in Park Plaza Hotel

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
February 10, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Fire alarm set off at W Hotel

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
February 3, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Massachusetts reports 2,546 new cases, 46 deaths

Massachusetts reports 2,546 new cases, 46 deaths

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 31, 2021

Massachusetts reported 2,546 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a sharp decrease from the 3,957 new infections reported Saturday. The death toll rose by 46,...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Graffiti found outside Walker Building, non-Emerson member found in Paramount

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 28, 2021

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity...

Emersons testing site is located at a Tufts Medical Center facility on the corner of Harrison Ave. and Kneeland St.

Emerson reports six new positive tests, bringing cumulative spring total to 25

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 27, 2021

Emerson reported six new positive COVID-19 tests Wednesday, out of 788 tests administered Monday, bringing the cumulative number of positives to 85. The...

Katherine Mancia, daughter of Marias owner Cristian Mancia

Maria’s Taqueria faces financial trouble amidst coronavirus pandemic

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 27, 2021

Cristian Mancia, the owner of Maria’s Taqueria, starts his day working his full-time job at a financial company. Once finished, he heads over to his...

Students moving out of their dorms in March 2020

From coast to coast, Emerson students return to Boston

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 21, 2021

This week, thousands of Emerson students are emerging from their month-and-a-half winter break to descend on the Boston campus for the spring semester....

Emerson community relieved by Biden inauguration

Emerson community relieved by Biden inauguration

After 1,462 days of one of the most contentious presidential administrations to date, the sun broke out in Washington D.C. on Wednesday as Joseph R. Biden...

Massachusetts reports 4,178 new coronavirus cases

Massachusetts reports 4,178 new coronavirus cases

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 5, 2021

Massachusetts reported 4,178 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, a slight decline from the 4,358 new infections reported Monday. The death toll rose by 63. The...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports 4,358 new coronavirus cases

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
January 4, 2021

Massachusetts reported 4,358 new coronavirus cases Monday, an uptick from the 3,110 new infections reported Sunday. The death toll rose by 60. The state...

ECPD Deputy Chief Eric Schiazza teaching a self-defense class

Deputy Chief Eric Schiazza retires from ECPD

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
December 14, 2020

Emerson College Police Department Deputy Chief Eric Schiazza retired in November after 32 years rising through the ranks within the college.  Schiazza...

A Zoom class meeting in Spring 2020.

Students brace for another round of remote classes as semester’s end draws near

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
November 27, 2020

As students prepare for finals, the harsh realities of concluding a semester remotely for the second time this year loom. Two weeks of remote classes...

Emersons testing site is located at a Tufts Medical Center facility on the corner of Harrison Ave. and Kneeland St.

Massachusetts cases rise above 1,000, Emerson reports no new positives

By Charlie McKenna and Ann E. Matica
November 4, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Wednesday out of 264 new tests administered on Nov. 3, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

A polling place at the Chinatown YMCA was open on Nov. 3.

As polls close, wary students anxious for results

By Ann E. Matica and Dana Gerber
November 3, 2020

Students at Emerson’s Boston campus were apprehensive and anxious Tuesday as the country awaits results from this year’s highly anticipated presidential...

Emersons testing site is located at a Tufts Medical Center facility on the corner of Harrison Ave. and Kneeland St.

Massachusetts cases rise, Emerson reports no new positives

By Charlie McKenna and Ann E. Matica
November 3, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Tuesday out of 860 new tests administered on Nov. 2, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

Two members of the student organization Earth Emerson.

Student organizations push political engagement on Election Day

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
November 3, 2020

Cultural, spiritual, and advocacy student organizations on campus are preparing to host Election Day events tonight that will center around self-care,...

Jennifer Scully 21 wearing the custom mask created for the Shine Through fundraiser.

‘Shine Through’ campaign raises more than $50,000 for student financial aid

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
October 28, 2020

Emerson’s “Shine Through” fundraising campaign, which gifted custom Emerson-branded facemasks to donors, raised $53,111 in unrestricted financial...

The Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services office in the Union Bank Building.

As pandemic drags on, students struggle with mental health

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
October 27, 2020

At Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services, the mental toll of the pandemic on students has become abundantly clear.  Statistics provided by...

Howard Univesity in Washington, D.C.

Exchange program with Howard University to begin in the spring

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
October 25, 2020

Emerson will launch an exchange program with Howard University in Washington, D.C. in spring 2021 that will allow students from both institutions' communication...

The Iwasaki Library.

Pandemic opens new chapter for Iwasaki Library

By Gracie Warda and Ann E. Matica
October 7, 2020

In March, the Iwasaki Library operated as a place for students to mill around the stacks, congregate in groups to finish a project, and watch movies in...

A lone traveler pulling their suitcase through the snow in the Boston Common.

Optional four-week winter term to be launched remotely in December

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
October 5, 2020

Emerson will offer nearly 40 full- or half-credit courses in an optional remote winter term this December that will replace the typical week-long intersession...

Alpha Phi Omegas recruitment efforts have been greatly impacted by COVID-19.

Student organizations reimagine operations under new restrictions

By Dana Gerber and Ann E. Matica
September 30, 2020

Emerson’s student organizations are facing a herculean task this semester: to reimagine their clubs, most of which depend on in-person interaction, so...

Safety, job security top staff concerns for the fall

Safety, job security top staff concerns for the fall

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
September 16, 2020

Emerson staff members are grappling with safety risks and the threat of job insecurity, as the college proceeds with a reopening plan that brought much...

Stephen Terrell led Emersons musical theater program for 13 years.

Former musical theatre head remembered for reimagining program

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
August 30, 2020

When Stephen Terrell was hired by Emerson in 2003, the musical theatre program needed new leadership—a fresh perspective to lift the program to a higher...

A Student Government Association meeting in spring 2020.

Student organizations to face capacity restrictions and logistical hurdles in the fall

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
July 24, 2020

The usual operations of student organizations will be severely limited under strict social distancing regulations in the fall, college officials revealed...

National Broadcast Society members work on a set.

Student leaders wrestle with managing organizations under COVID-19

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
June 17, 2020

Emerson’s hybrid-learning reopening plan, announced Wednesday afternoon, answered students’ lingering questions about the fate of the fall semester....

The college was investigated by the Office of Civil Rights twice in the past five years for complaints of disability discrimination

Emerson to house nearly 100 Tufts medical professionals

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 10, 2020

Emerson will provide housing for about 100 medical professionals from Tufts Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a college official.   The...

Manager of Custodial Services Nestor Carranza said Emerson hired five additional temporary employees from night cleaning companies.

Custodial staff face increase in items left behind by departing students

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
April 1, 2020

In the scramble to vacate campus two weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened in Massachusetts, students left behind more items in residential building...

Photo credit: Gege Tan

Security cameras installed in Max over security concerns

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
February 4, 2020
The college and Bon Appétit partnered to install three additional security cameras in the Max over winter break.
Director of ECAPS Elise Harrison posing for a portrait on December 6, 2019.

ECAPS expands hours of staff members to combat rise of students on campus

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
December 4, 2019

Emerson Counseling and Psychological Services gained a new staff member this August and increased the hours of two part-time employees to accommodate an...

In 2009, Roberts considered applying to doctorate programs when she and her cousin discovered a letter from the early 1900s at her grandmother’s house from a woman inquiring about a teaching position. Rachel Lo / Beacon Staff.

New staff member holds diversity workshops for faculty

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
November 9, 2019

In October 2017, 300 student protesters stormed a faculty assembly meeting chanting, “No more oppression, no microaggressions,” and demanding administrative...

Although the official number of Emerson students who vape is unclear, a college official said many incoming students have arrived on campus already using their own e-cigarettes. Photo by Lizzie Heintz / Beacon Staff

College health officials express concerns over vape ban

By Ann E. Matica, Deputy News Editor
October 9, 2019

College health officials expressed apprehension about the effects Gov. Charlie Baker's four-month ban on the sale of vaping products could have on students.  The...

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