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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 College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

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Charlie McKenna

Charlie McKenna graduated in 2022. He is from Los Angeles, CA and served as The Beacon’s Editor-in-Chief during the Fall 2021 semester, overseeing all of the paper’s print and digital content in addition to daily operations. He has contributed to The Beacon since the Fall 2019 semester and previously served as a Content Managing Editor, the Deputy Express Editor, and the SGA correspondent. McKenna’s work has appeared in The Boston Globe and in his limited free time, he can be found listening to Steely Dan.

Latest from Charlie McKenna
A person walks outside of South Station.

Emerson will limit overnight travel in spring semester policy

By Charlie McKenna / November 23, 2020

Administrators will impose harsh limitations on travel anywhere off-campus this spring in an attempt to limit the spread of the pandemic on campus.  Students...

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

Massachusetts cases fall below 2,000 for first time in a week

By Charlie McKenna / November 23, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,785 new coronavirus cases Monday, a steep drop from the 2,721 infections reported Sunday. The number of deaths fell from 24 to...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 2,721 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 22, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,721 new coronavirus cases and 24 deaths Sunday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically. Sunday’s...

Emerson's COVID-19 testing center at the corner of Kneeland Street and Harrison Ave.

Emerson reports four new positive COVID-19 tests, weekly total up to 16

By Charlie McKenna and Andrew Brinker / November 21, 2020

The college reported four new positive COVID-19 test results among community members Saturday, pushing the college’s weekly testing total to 16, and...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 2,991 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 21, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,991 new coronavirus cases and 19 deaths Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically. Saturday’s...

A sign on the window of Emerson's coronavirus testing site at Tufts Medical Center.

College expects no new positives following early week surge

By Charlie McKenna / November 20, 2020

College officials are not aware of any new positive COVID-19 tests from community members, following the sudden surge in positive results earlier in the...

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

Emerson reports no new testing data, Massachusetts cases top 2,000 again

By Charlie McKenna / November 20, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,288 new coronavirus cases Friday, down from the 2,532 infections reported Thursday. The number of deaths rose from 27 to 34.  New...

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

Emerson reports test result delays, Massachusetts adds 2532 new cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 19, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,532 new coronavirus cases Thursday, down from the 2,744 infections reported Wednesday. The number of deaths fell from 47 to 27.  New...

The Boston Public Garden.

Police arrest suspect in Public Garden assault

By Charlie McKenna and Diana Bravo / November 19, 2020

Boston Police arrested a man Wednesday in connection to an alleged assault in the Public Garden last week. Francisco Romero, 38, was charged with aggravated...

SGA

SGA elections outreach minimal prior to polls opening

By Charlie McKenna / November 18, 2020

With the polls open in the Student Government Association’s fall elections, the typical flood of campaign marketing materials that popped up on campus...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St.

Contact tracing turns up no connection between new COVID-19 cases, administrators say

By Charlie McKenna / November 18, 2020

Emerson administrators do not believe the sharp spike in positive coronavirus tests on campus since Monday is a result of a case cluster or community spread.  Contact...

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

Emerson cases surge as Baker urges caution ahead of Thanksgiving

By Charlie McKenna / November 18, 2020

Massachusetts reported new coronavirus cases 2,744 Wednesday, up from the 2,263 infections reported Tuesday. The number of deaths rose from 20 to 47.  New...

Emerson's COVID-19 testing center at the corner of Kneeland Street and Harrison Ave.

Emerson cancels non-academic in-person activities after twelve new positive COVID-19 tests

By Charlie McKenna / November 18, 2020

All non-academic in-person activities on Emerson’s Boston campus are canceled for the remainder of the semester, following a sudden rise in positive...

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

Massachusetts coronavirus cases soar past 2,000 again

By Charlie McKenna / November 17, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,263 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, up from the 1,967 infections reported Monday. The number of deaths rose from 12 to 20.  New...

An SGA meeting at the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year.

SGA treasurer won’t run for re-election, leaving crucial vacancy for spring

By Charlie McKenna / November 17, 2020

Student Government Association Executive Treasurer Thomas Coughlin is not running for a second term, presumably leaving one of the organization’s most...

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

Massachusetts coronavirus cases fall below 2,000

By Charlie McKenna / November 16, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,967 new coronavirus cases Monday, a slight dip from the 2,076 infections reported Sunday. The number of deaths fell from 33 to...

Debrosse, pictured middle right, in a Spring  Student Government Association meeting.

Debrosse to continue as SGA president through spring

By Charlie McKenna / November 16, 2020

Student Government Association Executive President Lindsay Debrosse will retain the organization’s presidency through the spring semester, she confirmed...

Community members gathered in the Semel Theatre to mourn sophomore Daniel Hollis on October 3. 2019.

Marine Corps reservist charged in death of Emerson student Daniel Hollis

By Charlie McKenna / November 15, 2020

A reservist in the Marine Corps has been charged in the death of Daniel Hollis, an Emerson student who died in fall 2019 after an altercation outside a...

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 2,076 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 15, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,076 new coronavirus cases and 33 deaths Sunday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically. Sunday’s...

Emerson's Los Angeles campus.

ELA classes to go virtual again in spring

By Charlie McKenna / November 14, 2020

Emerson’s Los Angeles program will hold classes entirely online in the spring semester, an extension of fall semester protocols, administrators announced...

Governor Charlie Baker takes questions from the media at Mill City BBQ and Brew in Lowell, MA, September 23, 2020.

Massachusetts reports 2,841 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 14, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,841 new coronavirus cases and 27 deaths Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically. Saturday’s...

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

Massachusetts cases continue rise, Emerson reports one new positive

By Charlie McKenna / November 13, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,674 new coronavirus cases Friday, the third-highest single day case total since the pandemic began ravaging the state in March. Total...

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

Massachusetts coronavirus deaths surpass 10,000

By Charlie McKenna / November 12, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,482 new coronavirus cases Thursday, as the state surpassed 10,000 coronavirus-related deaths. The mark comes amid soaring new...

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

Massachusetts cases continue surge, Emerson reports one new positive

By Charlie McKenna / November 11, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,495 new coronavirus cases Tuesday. The total rose sharply from 2,047 new cases reported Monday. The number of deaths rose from...

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

Massachusetts coronavirus cases continue dramatic rise

By Charlie McKenna / November 10, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,047 new coronavirus cases Tuesday. The total rose sharply from 1,184 new cases reported Monday. The number of deaths rose from...

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

Massachusetts cases fall from weekend spike

By Charlie McKenna / November 9, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,184 new coronavirus cases Monday. The total fell sharply from 1,809 new cases reported Sunday. The number of deaths fell from...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 1,809 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 8, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,809 new coronavirus cases and 23 deaths Sunday, as new infections in the state continue to increase dramatically. Saturday’s...

President-elect Joe Biden.

Biden calls for unity, healing in acceptance speech

By Charlie McKenna / November 8, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden delivered a speech to supporters in his home state of Delaware Saturday evening, officially claiming the presidency while attempting...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 2,200 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 7, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,200 new coronavirus cases and 23 deaths Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to increase rapidly. Saturday’s...

President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris.

Biden, Trump issue contrasting statements following race call

By Charlie McKenna / November 7, 2020

Statements from former vice president Joe Biden and President Donald J. Trump struck strikingly different tones, following the Associated Press and several...

Biden defeats Trump, vows to bring new direction for divided U.S.

Biden defeats Trump, vows to bring new direction for divided U.S.

By Diti Kohli and Charlie McKenna / November 7, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden is slated to become the 46th president of the United States after accruing at least 290 electoral votes and emerging...

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

Massachusetts surpasses 2,000 single day cases

By Charlie McKenna and Chris Lisinski / November 6, 2020

Massachusetts reported 2,038 new coronavirus cases Friday. The total increased from 1,761 cases reported Thursday. The number of deaths fell from 23 to...

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

Emerson reports two new positives, Massachusetts cases soar

By Charlie McKenna / November 5, 2020

Emerson reported two new positive COVID-19 test results Thursday out of 720 new tests administered on Nov. 3 and 4, leaving the college’s cumulative...

The election results play to a deserted Dining Center

As Trump’s chances narrow, optimistic student body awaits final election results

By Charlie McKenna and Dana Gerber / November 4, 2020

Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed victories in several key battleground states Wednesday, laying clear his path to the presidency while narrowing...

The Piano Row dorm building boarded up with plywood ahead of potential election fallout protests.

College extends virtual classes and limited campus access through Thursday

By Charlie McKenna / November 4, 2020

Emerson will extend its decision to hold all in-person classes online and limit campus access after 6 p.m. through Thursday, President M. Lee Pelton announced...

Emerson's 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...

Voters enter the Boston City Hall polling place to vote on Election Day Nov. 4.

In-person polls drew thousands of Boston voters Tuesday

By Charlie McKenna / November 3, 2020

Thousands of Massachusetts voters flocked to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for president in an election tempered by the coronavirus pandemic...

Live Updates: Election results from across the country roll in

Live Updates: Election results from across the country roll in

By Charlie McKenna / November 3, 2020

Hour by hour, polling stations across the country are closing, and results from the highly contentious 2020 general election are beginning to pour in. Below...

Emerson's 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...

Students protest Donald Trump's election in 2016.

Professors recall ‘grim’ days on campus after 2016 election

By Charlie McKenna and Dana Gerber / November 3, 2020

Mark Leccese never opened his briefcase for class on Nov. 9, 2016. That day—just after Donald Trump’s election to the U.S. presidency in 2016—a...

Boarded up entrances to the Paramount Theatre.

Emerson switches to online classes until Thursday, boards up campus buildings

By Charlie McKenna / November 3, 2020

All in-person classes taking place between 6 p.m. Tuesday night and 10 p.m. Wednesday night will be held virtually as the college braces for potential...

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

Massachusetts cases fall below 1,000 for first time in nine days

By Charlie McKenna / November 2, 2020

Emerson reported one new positive COVID-19 test result Monday out of 1,016 new tests administered on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, leaving the college’s cumulative...

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Baker tightens COVID-19 restrictions on masks, restaurants amid statewide surge

By Charlie McKenna / November 2, 2020

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced stricter restrictions for restaurants, entertainment venues, and informal gatherings in an effort to slowing...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 1,139 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / November 1, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,139 new coronavirus cases and 22 deaths Sunday, as new infections in the state continue to increase rapidly. The day’s positivity...

Governor Charlie Baker takes questions from the media at Mill City BBQ and Brew in Lowell, MA, September 23, 2020.

Massachusetts reports 1,292 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 31, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,292 new coronavirus cases and 16 deaths Saturday, as new infections in the state continue to increase rapidly. The day’s positivity...

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

Massachusetts cases top 1,000 for seventh straight day

By Charlie McKenna / October 30, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Thursday out of 194 new tests administered on Oct. 29, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

Emerson's testing center at a Tufts Medical Center bookstore on the corner of Kneeland St. and Harrison St.

College to mandate weekly testing for faculty, staff in spring

By Charlie McKenna, Dana Gerber and Karli Wallace / October 29, 2020

Emerson will mandate weekly testing for faculty and staff working on campus during the spring semester after allowing those working on campus this fall...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases continue rising

By Charlie McKenna / October 29, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Thursday out of 717 new tests administered on Oct. 28, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases top 1,000 for fifth straight day

By Charlie McKenna / October 28, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Wednesday out of 846 new tests administered on Oct. 27, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

A sign on the window of Emerson's coronavirus testing site at Tufts Medical Center.

Administrators hope automatic dashboard updates will eliminate data reporting errors

By Charlie McKenna / October 28, 2020

Emerson’s COVID-19 dashboard is now updated automatically after a string of data reporting errors appeared on the page since its inception in August. When...

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey speaks at an event advocating for student loan reform on January 13, 2017.

AG Healy calls on DHS to rescind proposed rule limiting international students’ time in the U.S.

By Charlie McKenna / October 28, 2020

Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy and 22 additional state attorneys general, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security Monday calling...

An alleyway on Exeter St.

Boston Police investigating report of shots on Newbury St.

By Charlie McKenna / October 27, 2020

Two suspects are in custody after a report of shots fired on Newbury St. near Exeter St. Tuesday afternoon. Walter Coleman, 23, and Rashawn Bly, 24,...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases continue to surge

By Charlie McKenna / October 27, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Tuesday out of 906 new tests administered on Oct. 26, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases top 1,200

By Charlie McKenna / October 26, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Monday out of 598 new tests administered on Oct. 23, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to the media after receiving a flu shot at a CVS in Roslindale on September 17, 2020 in Boston, MA.

Massachusetts reports 1,097 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 25, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,097 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths Sunday as new infections in the state continue to increase rapidly. The day’s positivity...

A Financial Advisory Board meeting in September 2019.

SGA’s Financial Advisory Board meetings grind to a halt

By Charlie McKenna / October 24, 2020

The Financial Advisory Board has not met in four weeks, due in part to a lack of appeals for additional funding from student organizations.  The gap...

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 1,128 new coronaviurs cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 24, 2020

Massachusetts reported 1,128 new coronavirus cases and eight deaths Sunday as new infections in the state continue to increase rapidly. The day’s positivity...

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

Emerson reports one new positive, Massachusetts cases top 900 again

By Charlie McKenna / October 23, 2020

Emerson reported one new positive COVID-19 test result Friday out of 702 new tests administered on Oct. 22, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

A man walking past the W Hotel on Stuart St.

WiFi out in W hotel due to Verizon outage

By Charlie McKenna / October 22, 2020

Students living in the W Boston hotel lost wifi early Thursday evening, due to an internet outage in the area. Students living in the hotel received...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases continue to spike

By Charlie McKenna / October 22, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Thursday out of 758 new tests administered on Oct. 21, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

A Spring 2020 Student Government Association meeting. Photo by Yongze Wang.

SGA hopes to spur college action with first legislative effort

By Charlie McKenna / October 22, 2020

The Student Government Association passed its first piece of legislation, about several recent “Zoom-bombing” incidents, Tuesday—nearly halfway through...

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

Emerson reports one new positive, Massachusetts cases fall

By Charlie McKenna / October 21, 2020

Emerson reported one new positive COVID-19 test result Wednesday out of 796 new tests administered on Oct. 20, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

Mediterranean restaurant Garbanzo opened on Emerson's campus in August.

Garbanzo reopens after employee tests positive for COVID-19

By Charlie McKenna / October 20, 2020

Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh’s shut down Monday came after a staffer tested positive for COVID-19, college officials announced in an email Tuesday. The...

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

Emerson reports two new positives, Massachusetts cases fall slightly

By Charlie McKenna / October 20, 2020

Emerson reported two new positive COVID-19 test results Tuesday out of 585 new tests administered on Oct. 20, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases continue to rise

By Charlie McKenna / October 19, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 tests Monday out of 616 new tests administered on Oct. 16, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests...

Governor Charlie Baker takes questions from the media at Mill City BBQ and Brew in Lowell, MA, September 23, 2020.

Massachusetts reports 744 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 18, 2020

Massachusetts reported 744 new coronavirus cases and 14 deaths Sunday as cases continue to trend up in the state. The day’s positivity rate per people...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the Little Building.

Spring break formally eliminated with faculty vote

By Charlie McKenna / October 17, 2020

The full time faculty union approved an altered schedule for the upcoming spring semester Tuesday, finalizing the college’s plans to cancel spring break...

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 550 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 17, 2020

Massachusetts reported 550 new coronavirus cases and 21 deaths Saturday, as case numbers continue to trend up in the state. The day’s positivity rate...

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

Emerson reports unusually high testing total, Massachusetts cases rise

By Charlie McKenna / October 16, 2020

Emerson reported one new positive COVID-19 test Friday out of 1,708 new results from tests administered Oct. 14 and 15, leaving the college’s cumulative...

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

Irregular dashboard update lists only 10 new COVID-19 tests

By Charlie McKenna / October 15, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 tests Thursday out of just 10 new results from Oct. 13, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests since...

Column: A Lakers fan reflects on the franchise after championship

Column: A Lakers fan reflects on the franchise after championship

By Charlie McKenna / October 14, 2020

It’s been a tough 10 years to be a Lakers fan. But after defeating the Miami Heat in six games in the NBA Finals on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, uptick in daily tests

By Charlie McKenna / October 14, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Wednesday out of 965 tests administered on Oct. 13, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

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

Emerson reports two new positives, Massachusetts cases fall slightly

By Charlie McKenna / October 13, 2020

Emerson reported two new positive COVID-19 test results Tuesday out of 606 tests administered on Oct. 9, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 765 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 12, 2020

Massachusetts reported 765 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths Monday. The day’s positivity rate per people tested was 3.2 percent, and the test positivity...

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 570 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 11, 2020

Massachusetts reported 570 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, along with 16 deaths. Sunday’s positivity rate per people tested was 4.2 percent, and the test...

American Indian activist Chali’Naru Dones speaking to a crowd of protesters in Boston on Indigenous People's Day, 2020.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day protest calls for end of Columbus Day

By Charlie McKenna / October 10, 2020

Hundreds marched from Boston Common to the North End Saturday afternoon to call on the city of Boston to formally replace Columbus Day with Indigenous...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts cases down from Friday, still on the rise

By Charlie McKenna / October 10, 2020

Massachusetts reported 587 new coronavirus cases Saturday, along with 10 deaths. Saturday’s positivity rate was 4.4 percent. New infections fell after...

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

Massachusetts cases spike, Emerson reports no new positives

By Charlie McKenna / October 9, 2020

Massachusetts reported 734 new positive cases Friday night, a sharp increase from 409 new cases on Thursday. The number of deaths rose from eight to 12....

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases fall

By Charlie McKenna / October 8, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Thursday out of 711 tests administered on Oct. 7, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests...

From Left to Right: Christine Hughes, Peggy Ings, and Bill Gilligan, three of the college's 12 vice presidents.

Three vice presidents to retire before 2021

By Charlie McKenna / October 7, 2020

Three of Emerson’s 12 vice presidents will retire by the end of 2020 after opting into the college’s early retirement program.  Christine Hughes,...

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

Emerson reports no new positives as Massachusetts cases rise

By Charlie McKenna / October 7, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Wednesday out of 663 tests administered on Oct. 6, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests...

The Office of International Student Affairs.

Proposed federal rule would limit international students’ time in U.S.

By Charlie McKenna and Alec Klusza / October 6, 2020

A newly proposed U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule could limit the ability of international students to stay in the U.S. for more than four years...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases drop for second straight day

By Charlie McKenna / October 6, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Tuesday out of 557 tests administered on Oct. 5, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, Massachusetts cases drop

By Charlie McKenna / October 5, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 test results Monday out of 578 total tests administered on Oct. 2, leaving the college’s cumulative positive...

Governor Charlie Baker takes questions from the media at Mill City BBQ and Brew in Lowell, MA, September 23, 2020.

Massachusetts reports 626 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 4, 2020

Massachusetts reported 626 new coronavirus cases Sunday, along with three deaths. The positive rate released Sunday was 3.2 percent. Cases rose from...

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to the media after receiving a flu shot at a CVS in Roslindale on September 17, 2020 in Boston, MA.

Massachusetts reports 600 new coronavirus cases

By Charlie McKenna / October 3, 2020

Massachusetts reported 600 new coronavirus cases Saturday, along with 17 deaths. Saturday’s positivity rate was 3.4 percent. Cases fell sharply from...

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

Emerson reports one new positive, 627 new tests

By Charlie McKenna / October 2, 2020

Emerson reported one new positive COVID-19 test result Friday out of 627 total tests, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests since Aug. 6 at...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, testing number discrepancies

By Charlie McKenna / October 1, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 tests results Thursday out of 809 total tests, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests since Aug. 6...

The car hit a pedestrian shortly after 4 p.m.

Hit and run crash near Public Garden severely injures pedestrian

By Charlie McKenna / October 1, 2020

A black Chevy colorado pickup truck crashed into the Boston Public Garden and hit a pedestrian Thursday afternoon.  The pedestrian, identified as an...

A view of Emerson's Dining Center from the Boylston Place alley.

After positive tests, dining center remained open due to staff schedules

By Charlie McKenna / October 1, 2020

The college attributed its decision to leave the Dining Center open for dinner following three vendors’ positive COVID-19 tests to the fact that the...

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

Emerson reports no new positives, 235 new tests

By Charlie McKenna / September 30, 2020

Emerson reported no new positive COVID-19 tests results Wednesday out of 235 total tests, leaving the college’s cumulative positive tests since Aug....

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

Symptom tracker to be linked to tap access in October

By Charlie McKenna / September 30, 2020

Emerson will begin linking its daily symptom tracker to student, faculty, and staff ids in October, meaning community members will no longer have to display...

The Boston Public Garden.

Man arrested following alleged assault in Public Garden Monday

By Charlie McKenna / September 29, 2020

Boston police arrested a man Tuesday for allegedly attempting to rape a woman in the Boston Public Garden Monday morning. Police took Luan Maxwell,...

A view of Emerson's Dining Center from the Boylston Place alley.

Dining Center to temporarily close following three positive COVID-19 tests among food vendors

By Andrew Brinker and Charlie McKenna / September 22, 2020

The Dining Center was temporarily closed for service Wednesday morning after college officials announced three new positive COVID-19 tests among food vendors.  The...

A Spring 2020 Student Government Association meeting. Photo by Yongze Wang.

Vacancy issues in SGA persist under new model

By Charlie McKenna / September 21, 2020

The Student Government Association faces a slew of vacancies in its first semester under a newly established structure, despite filling several positions...

National Broadcast Society members work on a set.

College reverses course, will temporarily continue non-tuition credits for first-year students

By Charlie McKenna / September 18, 2020

College officials temporarily rolled back a decision Tuesday that would have prevented first-year students from earning non-tuition credits for their participation...

The entrance to Emerson's Walker Building on Boylston St.

College cancels spring break with release of new academic calendar

By Charlie McKenna / September 18, 2020

The college has canceled spring break in 2021, marking one of the first announcements about an otherwise uncertain spring semester. The college canceled...

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

GRAPH: College reports 11 positive COVID-19 tests, inconsistent dashboard numbers

By Andrew Brinker, Tomas Gonzalez and Charlie McKenna / September 17, 2020

Emerson’s cumulative positive COVID-19 test results have risen steadily each week, as seen in the graph above. Each point on the graph represents...

President M. Lee Pelton.

College places ninth in US News and World Report regional rankings

By Charlie McKenna / September 16, 2020

Emerson landed in a tie for ninth in the annual U.S. News and World Report ranking of top 10 regional universities in the north, marking the fifth year...

Emerson's Los Angeles campus.

ELA campus won’t reopen in the fall, classes to remain online

By Charlie McKenna / September 4, 2020

Emerson’s Los Angeles campus will not reopen for in-person classes in the fall semester in light of new COVID-19 guidance from LA county officials. The...