Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College's student newspaper

The Berkeley Beacon

Belen Dumont

Belen Dumont, News Editor

Belen Dumont is a Junior journalism major with a minor in women's, gender, and sexuality studies and The Beacon's current News Editor. The Connecticut native is a first-generation American who hopes to report investigative stories and local, national, and international news during her lifetime. On campus, she's also a part of NAHJ, Kappa Gamma Chi, and has previously written for Atlas Magazine and WEBN.

Latest from Belen Dumont
Cut Short

Cut Short

The Beacon Magazine interviewed 16 different seniors to get their perspective on how the coronavirus pandemic upended their final year on campus. All of the words in this edition are their own, with no...

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
May 10, 2020

I was at my desk finishing work for one of my internships because we had just been ordered to start working remotely that day for that internship. I checked my email and saw the email from President Pelton...

Maryam Fassihi

Maryam Fassihi

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
May 10, 2020

What Emerson has given me is the people, and that’s what I love most about it. ELA was by far my favorite semester, it’s like one of the reasons that I chose that school—because it had this program...

Gina York

Gina York

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
May 10, 2020

The Friday we found out in Los Angeles that we would all have to leave, everyone was like ‘Okay, senior week starts now, it’s this weekend.’ Everyone was kind of going around like ‘We’ve been...

A view of Emersons campus buildings from the Boylston St. sidewalk.

Pelton plans for college to be open in the fall

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 17, 2020

The college currently plans to resume classes on campus this upcoming semester, President M. Lee Pelton wrote in a community-wide email Friday evening.  “The college is evaluating a multitude of...

Two staff members test positive for COVID-19, college implements self-reporting feature on website

Two staff members test positive for COVID-19, college implements self-reporting feature on website

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 13, 2020

Two additional college staff members on the Boston campus tested positive for the coronavirus and are recovering off campus, according to a community-wide email sent Monday afternoon. The members were...

“He contributed tremendously to both the Emerson and the Boston community in general, Sandra Goldfarb said.

Emerson alumni and Trustee remembered for his public relations legacy

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 8, 2020

Chairman and CEO Larry Rasky ‘78 managed Rasky Partners by walking around instead of staying in his office, his colleague Sandra Goldfarb explained. She said she’ll miss their funny and lively conversations...

A view of Emersons campus buildings from the Boylston St. sidewalk.

Two students test positive for COVID-19 as Massachusetts cases surge

By Dana Gerber and Belen Dumont
March 31, 2020

Two Emerson students have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently recovering in isolation at home, according to a campus-wide email sent Tuesday afternoon.  One of the individuals was last on...

The ongoing construction on Boylston St., intended to expand the sidewalk into the parking lane and add benches and planters, has been delayed until at least the end of the 2020-21 academic year.

OHRE looks for creative solutions after COVID-19 hinders housing selection process

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 30, 2020

The Housing Operations team released an updated 2020-2021 housing selection process timeline in an email Friday afternoon after the initially scheduled process was delayed in the scramble to move students...

Emerson Trustee and Alumnus dead at 69

Emerson Trustee and Alumnus dead at 69

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 22, 2020

Emerson Alumnus and Trustee Emeritus Larry Rasky, 69, died Sunday morning at his home, according to a community-wide email from President M. Lee Pelton.  Rasky graduated from Emerson in 1978 with a...

Photo Courtesy of ECSU

ECSU and S3 demonstrate during annual “Picture Yourself at Emerson” event

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
February 29, 2020

Emerson College Student Union and Students Supporting Survivors coordinated an on-campus demonstration Saturday morning, passing out flyers to accepted students at the college’s annual “Picture Yourself...

Flooding on the fifth floor of Piano Row.

Broken sprinkler causes flooding in Piano Row

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
January 21, 2020
Several floors in Piano Row flooded Monday night when a fifth floor sprinkler broke, the college said.
Courtesy of Skyler Celotto

Emerson remembers Daniel Hollis’ kindness, warmth, and his love for Travis Scott

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 21, 2019

Emerson Sophomore Daniel Hollis was the type of team player and friend that showed up to lacrosse practice on a chilly fall day even though he had bronchitis and knew he couldn’t step onto the field.  Senior...

Marlboro College junior Sally Fletcher works at a local coffeeshop in Brattleboro, Vermont / Jakob Menendez

Marlboro College’s closure leaves community businesses concerned

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 14, 2019

BRATTLEBORO, Vt.—Marlboro College junior Sally Fletcher has worked at Mochajoe’s—a popular cafe—for about eight months, but the Vermont native will have to leave her barista position if she decides...

Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley told The Beacon that students and staff at Marlboros graduate school should have been aware of the schools track to closure.

What we know and what we don’t about the Emerson-Marlboro merger

Emerson is slated to acquire Marlboro College in approximately a year, but many questions still remain about the future of the community after the merger. To paint a better picture of this, The Beacon...

Vice President for Equity and Social Justice Sylvia Spears.

Spears recognizes statistical discrepancies in Clery Report

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
September 26, 2019

The Emerson College Police Department released the college’s annual Clery Report on Wednesday, which a college official said provides an incomplete picture of the college’s crime statistics.  Vice...

The expanded sidewalk will  include greenery, benches and bike racks.

College officials expect sidewalk construction to begin within weeks

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
September 5, 2019

The college expects to begin the first phase of construction on the sidewalk expansion project in the next few weeks, pending city approval. The concept, approved by the city, details an expansion of...

Protesters yell at Straight Pride Parade participants. Photo by Anissa Gardizy/Beacon Staff

Tensions flare during Boston’s Straight Pride Parade

Boston’s first Straight Pride Parade transformed the city’s downtown into scenes of contentious encounters and conflicting ideologies on Saturday.  The parade divided city streets between participants...

Emerson Professor urges students to stay informed with Venezuelas crisis

Emerson Professor urges students to stay informed with Venezuela’s crisis

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
June 8, 2019

An Emerson College professor spoke at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday to educate Boston residents and political officials on the history of Venezuela’s crisis and the current state of the...

Emerson follows federal policy and bans cannabis on college campuses but the policies concerning CBD are less clear. Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Staff

Office of Community Standards reviews state and federal policies on medical cannabis

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 18, 2019

The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct is reviewing its drug and alcohol policy regarding medical cannabis on campus as part of a larger campus-wide policy review for the JED Program and...

Potential Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg spoke to approximately 1,000 college students and Massachusetts locals at Northeastern University on April 3. Thomas Bloxham / Beacon Staff

Pete Buttigieg speaks in “Millennials in Politics” seminar at Northeastern University

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 6, 2019

Potential Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg called for affordable higher education and equal opportunities for those without a college degree as he spoke to approximately 1,000 college students...

Green Line Train

Green Line Extension Project begins construction on six new stations

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 28, 2019

The Green Line extension project, or GLX, will close three major bridges in Somerville and begin construction on six new stations this month. The project, currently in its third quarter of construction,...

Proposed Higher Education bill aims to monitor financial stability among Commonwealth colleges

Proposed Higher Education bill aims to monitor financial stability among Commonwealth colleges

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 27, 2019

Governor Charlie Baker introduced a bill in the State Senate on March 7 to monitor financial stability among Commonwealth colleges and universities. The Senate referred the bill to the Joint Committee...

Students dining in the dining center in March 2019.

Dining Center prepares for increased on-campus population next semester

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 13, 2019

The college plans to relocate serving stations, provide more seating, and expand the hours of the Dining Center to accommodate for the influx of students who will need a meal plan during the fall 2019...

Journalism faculty released a statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in solidarity with Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni Wednesday.

Journalism students leave major at higher rate than other departments

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
February 21, 2019

Approximately five percent of journalism students switched out of the department during the 2018-19 academic year—a rate around four times higher than other major programs, according to data the Journalism...

One of DeVos’ proposed changes would enable schools to raise their standard of evidence in sexual assault cases. Photo by Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Staff

Proposed Title IX changes may affect college policies if passed

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
January 16, 2019

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos introduced changes to the federal Title IX policy in November 2018 that would alter or reverse guidelines established under former President Barack Obama’s administration....

The eight-person suites were part of a two-year plan to house first-year students while the 101-year-old Little Building underwent renovations. Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Staff

Piano Row six-person suites return Fall 2019

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
December 6, 2018

The college will convert all eight-person suites in the Piano Row residence hall back to six-person suites as of summer 2019, to follow the completion of the Little Building. The eight-person suites...

Some students use the front of the nightclub as a place to smoke between classes. Photo by Tivara Tanudjaja / Beacon Correspondent

Whisky Saigon could end 10-year lease in 2022

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 28, 2018

Whisky Saigon, an upscale nightclub on Boylston Street, will weigh the decision to renew or rescind its lease with the college in 2022 for the first time. The club’s contract with Emerson gives the...

Lala Thaddeus / Beacon Archives

Title IX training workshop scheduled for December following cancellation confusion

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 26, 2018

The next Title IX Training workshop for faculty and staff is scheduled to take place on Dec. 19 after the Nov. 16 meeting was canceled without notice to some of the attendees who signed up. The nine...

The exhibit, titled “Lest We Forget,” is a commemoration project created by German–Italian photographer and filmmaker Luigi Toscano in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office. The display depicts survivors and runs until Nov. 10. Photo by Erin Nolan / Beacon Staff

Holocaust remembrance exhibit featured across from campus

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 4, 2018

The day Ayre Ephrath was born in Bardejov, the Nazi regime began deporting Jewish people from his hometown. A small caption next to a large-scale portrait of Ephrath, a blue-eyed man in his 70s with...

Boston college students gathered to support striking Marriot hotel workers from UNITE HERE Local 26 on Nov. 1. Belen Dumont / Beacon Staff

Boston students join Marriott workers on strike

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
November 3, 2018

Boston students marched with backpacks and painted cardboard signs down Huntington Avenue on Nov. 1 to join Marriott hotel workers during their fifth week on strike. Student protestors first joined...

The Entrepreneurial Innovation Track provides funding, space, and mentorship to students with a concept, in hopes of evolving their ideas into sustainable companies.
Photo Courtesy of Chelsea Dickens

Emerson Launch presents entrepreneurial program for student innovators

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
October 23, 2018

Emerson Launch announced a new 12-week entrepreneurial program for students interested in starting their own companies at an open house event Oct. 17. The Accelerator Program will consist of two tracks—the...

Crowds file into the Boston Opera House in front of the Paramount residence building entrance to see Hamilton.     Photo by Cullen Granzen / Beacon Staff

Theater crowds create sidewalk traffic for students

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
October 17, 2018

The Emerson Colonial Theatre premiered “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” this summer, and brought hundreds of theater guests to Boylston Street. Now, with classes in session, students must dodge these matinee...

The Colonial Theatre finished renovating and has a new facade and signage. Photo: Belen Dumont/ Berkeley Beacon

Colonial Theatre officially reopens

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
July 10, 2018

The Colonial Theatre opens its doors on July 10 after nearly three years of construction with the world premiere of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The original opening date of June 27 got pushed by about...

Patrick Kearns is an RHA Executive Board Member and helped plan the prom event taking place on Saturday. Photo: Hardik Pahwa / Berkeley Beacon

College students to dress up for prom

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
April 9, 2018

As the semester reaches an end, the college plans to give all students another chance at prom. The throwback will include food, drinks, music featuring student-DJ Jon Bain, a photo booth, and a Nintendo...

BCE Director Wes Jackson will leave the college in July. Photo credit: Lala Thaddeus, 2018

Wes Jackson drops new beat for BCE

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 29, 2018

Wes Jackson founded, produced, and marketed one of New York’s largest hip-hop cultural events, which featured artists like Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z. Now, the college employed Jackson to direct business...

Students board a bus headed for Washington, D.C. ahead of the national gun-reform rally. Belen Dumont / Berkeley Beacon

Students ‘March for Our Lives’ in D.C.

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 24, 2018

Standing with a friend in front of the Dining Center, sophomore Brian Sweeney waited to board one of two overnight shuttle buses headed to his hometown of Washington, D.C. at 10 p.m. on Friday. There,...

Eco-Rep

Emerson contending for most improved in RecycleMania

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
March 1, 2018

Emerson could potentially win most-improved in the annual RecycleMania competition, a nationwide recycling event between colleges and universities to promote sustainable waste habits, Sustainability...

Mayor Marty J. Walsh cuts ribbon at new library branch. Daniel Peden / Beacon Staff

New Chinatown library welcomes Emerson students

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
February 8, 2018

The head of the Boston Public Library branch in Chinatown said he encourages Emerson students to use the new space and resources just as much as neighborhood residents. Housed on the ground floor...

Students toured the new Emerson Launch space in 160 Boylston.
LINDSEY TOOMER / BEACON CORRESPONDENT

Emerson Launch rebrands with new space

By Belen Dumont, News Editor
October 25, 2017

Emerson Launch opened itself to all students this semester, regardless of major or entrepreneurial background. The recent open house debuted the program’s new space and provided information on changes...

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