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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

Olivia LeDuc

Olivia LeDuc, News Editor

Olivia LeDuc (she/her) is a journalism student and assistant editor for the campus coverage of The Beacon’s news section. When she’s not reporting, you can find her crocheting or going on yet another long walk in the city.

Latest from Olivia LeDuc
Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

‘History will remember where you stand’: Students, faculty, staff testify at town hall regarding April 25 arrests

Members of the Emerson community gathered in the Semel Theater in the Tufte Building for a moderated town hall Monday morning to discuss the events...

‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: Emerson Encampment ends in arrests of 118 protesters

‘I feel so betrayed by Emerson’: ‘Popular University Encampment’ ends in arrests of 118 protesters

By Sophia Pargas and Olivia LeDuc / April 25, 2024
The four-day “Popular University Encampment” ended in the arrest of 118 protesters in the 2 Boylston Place alley early this morning. 
Boston Police Officers gathered in the Massachusetts Transportation Building on Thursday, April 25. (Nick Peace for the Beacon)

DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

June 18 at 2:17 p.m. - College announces future faculty and staff layoffs due to enrollment decline it says is linked to campus protests Emerson...

2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

‘The beauty of Boston’: Thousands experience sunny 128th Boston Marathon

By Hannah Nguyen and Olivia LeDuc / April 17, 2024

With sunny skies and temperatures that climbed to the mid-60s, marathon Monday looked a little different compared to last year’s cool and rainy weather. While...

More than 30,000 runners from over 100 countries are registered to run in the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

More than 30,000 athletes from all across the world will take on the 26.2-mile course through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline, and Boston on Marathon Monday. 
An Emerson College Police car.

Emerson College among nationwide surge in student protest arrests

By Sophia Pargas and Olivia LeDuc / April 11, 2024

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a larger series surrounding the March 22 arrests. If you feel you or someone you know could be a valuable source...

students arrested outside Emerson presidential inauguration

13 students arrested amid protest outside Emerson presidential inauguration

By Hannah Nguyen and Olivia LeDuc / March 24, 2024
Twelve Emerson students and one non-Emerson student were arrested Friday afternoon outside Cutler Majestic Theater, where President Jay Bernhardt’s inauguration was taking place. 
President Jay Bernhardt. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

A conversation with President Jay Bernhardt

By Olivia LeDuc / March 6, 2024
The Beacon sat down with Bernhardt to reflect on his two semesters at Emerson, his plans to update the college’s mission through a new strategic plan, and his commitment to continuing to engage with the student body and address their needs.
Emerson Staff Union requests voluntary recognition from college for two new bargaining units

Emerson Staff Union requests voluntary recognition from college for two new bargaining units

By Olivia LeDuc / March 6, 2024
The Emerson Staff Union (ESU) has requested the college voluntarily recognize staff in Financial Aid and Student Accounts as union members.
‘This is life-changing’: Emerson faculty union and college reach new collective bargaining agreement

‘This is life-changing’: Emerson faculty union and college reach new collective bargaining agreement

By Olivia LeDuc / February 7, 2024

After working off-contract for more than half a year and making gradual progress in negotiations, Emerson’s full-time faculty union ratified the “life-changing”...

People sample free chocolate provided by local businesses at the 16th annual Harvard Square Taste of Chocolate fair, some waiting over an hour in the cold to sample a few morsels of chocolate in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Amin S. Lotfi/Beacon Staff)

A sweet weekend: Harvard Square’s Taste of Chocolate Festival returns with free chocolate extravaganza tastings

By Olivia LeDuc, News Editor / January 31, 2024

Chocolate lovers convened at Brattle Street in Cambridge on Saturday, dressed in warm winter garments and eagerly waiting in line for hours to get their...

Emerson RAs unanimously vote to unionize

Emerson RAs unanimously vote to unionize

By Olivia LeDuc, News Editor / January 24, 2024

In a unanimous 67-0 vote, Emerson residential assistants voted to unionize after Wednesday’s election held by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB),...

An Emerson College Police car.

Incident Journal: ECPD responds to violation, larceny reports

By Olivia LeDuc, Assistant News Editor / December 4, 2023

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

Photo courtesy of Brian Basgen

‘He was an incredible person’: Colleagues remember Faizan Siddiqui

By Olivia LeDuc, Assistant News Editor / October 25, 2023

Emerson colleagues mourn the loss of Faizan Siddiqui of the Information Technology (IT) team, who they remember as a truly friendly character and bright...

Meet Jordan Lome, Emerson’s first assistant director of accessible engagement

Meet Jordan Lome, Emerson’s first assistant director of accessible engagement

By Olivia LeDuc, Assistant News Editor / September 27, 2023

Jordan “Jordy” Lome has joined Emerson’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) team as the first Assistant Director of Accessible Engagement.  Their...

Members of the Student Union during their general meeting.

Student union updates point program for fall 2023 semester

By Olivia LeDuc, Assistant News Editor / September 13, 2023

The Emerson College Student’s Union (ECSU) has updated its point program for the semester, largely concentrating on its ongoing strife with improvements...

The 127th Boston Marathon.

‘It is such an electric experience’: Thousands converge for 127th Boston Marathon

By Olivia LeDuc / April 19, 2023

Over 30,000 runners began the race in Hopkinton, running through sporadic rain and a blanket of fog in the 127th Boston Marathon on Monday. Hellen Obiri,...

First place winner Lucy Ellis.

Emerson Poetry Project hosts ‘Box of Doom’

By Olivia LeDuc / April 12, 2023

Students gathered and laughed at TikTok and Tumblr references at Emerson Poetry Project’s biannual “Box of Doom” slam competition Monday evening. Dubbed...

Hundreds gathered on the steps of Trinity Church to protest in support of the Palestinian cause.

Boston supporters of Palestinian cause rally in Copley Square

By Olivia LeDuc / April 12, 2023

Over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including Boston-area students and organizers, protested in Copley Square on Sunday, condemning an uptick in Israeli...

The Center for Spiritual Life.

CSL to host interfaith dinner as celebration of major religious holidays

By Olivia LeDuc / April 5, 2023

To celebrate this week’s major religious holidays, members of the Emerson community are invited to an interfaith dinner on Friday at 7 p.m. in the college’s...

Media Technologies and Production to host third annual blood drive

Media Technologies and Production to host third annual blood drive

By Olivia LeDuc and Maddie Khaw / March 1, 2023

This Friday, March 3, students can donate blood to the American Red Cross in the third annual blood drive sponsored by Emerson’s Media Technologies and...

Publishing workers pledge to continue their strike until their demands of higher pay and codifying diversity are met.

HarperCollins strike reminds students of the power of unions

By Olivia LeDuc / November 16, 2022

Unionized employees from HarperCollins, one of the largest book publishers in the country, began an indefinite strike on Nov. 10 due to frustrations over...

David Howse, ‘honored’ and ‘humbled,’ named next VP of Institutional Advancement

David Howse, ‘honored’ and ‘humbled,’ named next VP of Institutional Advancement

By Olivia LeDuc / November 9, 2022

David Howse, an experienced figurehead in organizational and communicative leadership, will become the vice president of Emerson’s Institutional Advancement...

Emerson reinforces BRE findings

Emerson reinforces BRE findings

By Olivia LeDuc / November 2, 2022

Findings from Emerson’s evaluation from Beyond Racial Equity's comprehensive report determined that inclusivity and accessibility hindrances still block...

Sustainability Action Plan progresses with help from working groups

Sustainability Action Plan progresses with help from working groups

By Olivia LeDuc / October 19, 2022

Emerson refined its pledge to carbon neutrality last month after unveiling the Climate Action Plan. The plan has since moved into its second phase—the...

COVID testing site locating at 116 Harrison Avenue.

COVID-19 positive students decry updated protocol

By Olivia LeDuc / October 5, 2022

Students who contracted COVID-19 this semester feel “frustrated” with the college’s loosened COVID policies, specifically citing the isolate-in-place...

Orange Line Chinatown station

Commuters disappointed with delays a week into the Orange Line’s reopening

By Maeve Lawler and Olivia LeDuc / September 29, 2022

In the week following the Orange Line's reopening after its 30-day shutdown, many Emerson students and Orange Line riders across Boston feel burdened by...

Emerson's Office of International Student Affairs.

Amigos Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations encourage community

By Olivia LeDuc / September 28, 2022

Amigos, a student-led cultural organization that aims to foster Latin culture on campus, say that commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month on campus presents...

People walking through the intersection of Boylston and Tremont street.

Emerson reaches settlement agreement in Spring 2020 lawsuit

By Olivia LeDuc / September 26, 2022

Emerson settled a class-action lawsuit regarding its decision to move classes online during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The college agreed to pay...

Orange Line train entering Chinatown station

Orange Line re-opens after month-long shutdown

By Maeve Lawler and Olivia LeDuc / September 19, 2022

The Orange Line resumed its regular service on Monday after a 30-day closure. The first trains left the Oak Grove and Forest Hills Station at 5:16 a.m.,...

Illustration by Rachel Choi

‘I can’t comprehend how much money I’m paying’: Students react to tuition raise for academic year

By Olivia LeDuc / September 14, 2022

When Emerson announced it was raising tuition for the 2022-23 academic year, sophomore visual media arts major Elle Mako wondered how she would pay for...