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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

Latest from Shafaq Patel
Todd Strauss-Schulson ’03  on set with Rebel Wilson while directing his first feature film, "Isn't It Romantic." Photo courtesy of Michael Parmelee

Alumnus debunks rom-com clichés in ‘Isn’t it Romantic’

By Shafaq Patel / March 20, 2019

Before Todd Strauss-Schulson ’03 directed his first feature-length romantic comedy, he binge-watched all of the romantic comedies he could get his hands...

Marriott workers on strike march through Tremont Street.  Photo by Shafaq Patel/Beacon Staff

Striking Marriott workers protest on Tremont Street

By Shafaq Patel / October 12, 2018

More than 100 Marriott Hotel workers marched through Tremont Street and protested at the intersection of Tremont and Stuart street as part of their ongoing...

The paper inclusive signs covered the gender labels on campus restrooms on Friday. Photo: Cassandra Martinez

Students promote trans visibility with inclusive restroom signs

By Shafaq Patel / April 1, 2018

Lauren Lopez, tired of the limited number of gender-inclusive restrooms on campus, decided to act. They gathered five friends, printed out about 75 paper...

Black Rainbow Ball funds Sodexo worker’s legal status

By Shafaq Patel / February 22, 2018

The Black Rainbow Ball raised enough money to fund a Salvadoran Sodexo worker's Temporary Protective Status, which allows this employee and thousands...

EBONI’s event raises funds for undocumented Emerson staff

By Shafaq Patel / February 17, 2018

Funds from a semi-formal gala to celebrate Black History Month will go towards renewing Temporary Protected Status, for undocumented Emerson service workers. The...

Incident Journal

By Shafaq Patel / January 17, 2018

The Incident Journal is provided to the Beacon weekly by the Emerson College Police Department. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity,...

Kasteel Well staff advises students against travel to Spain

Kasteel Well staff advises students against travel to Spain

By Shafaq Patel / October 12, 2017

WELL, the Netherlands—The Office of Student Affairs is strongly advising students at the Kasteel Well Program to not go to Spain because of the political...

Incident Journal

By Shafaq Patel / April 20, 2017

The Incident Journal is provided to the Beacon weekly by the Emerson College Police Department. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and...

SGA presents plans for academic improvement

SGA presents plans for academic improvement

By Shafaq Patel / April 20, 2017

The Student Government Association approved an initiative that calls for improvements in the college’s academic departments and changes across the campus...

SGA works toward transparency

SGA works toward transparency

By Shafaq Patel / April 13, 2017

The Student Government Association members brainstormed solutions for communication and transparency issues within the organization, like student outreach. “It’s...

Anne Makielski, current class of 2018 president, is running unopposed for executive president. Photo by: Cassandra Martinez/ Beacon Staff

Next SGA president hopes to improve communication

By Shafaq Patel / April 13, 2017

After joining the Student Government Association her second semester freshman year, Anne Makielski said her involvement in the organization is one of the...

SGA constitution amends funding requirements

By Shafaq Patel / April 13, 2017

A new amendment to the Student Government Association constitution will allow organizations with restrictive memberships to file for SGA recognition and...

SGA talks religion with campus chaplain

SGA talks religion with campus chaplain

By Shafaq Patel / April 6, 2017

Emerson’s new Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and Campus Chaplain Harrison Blum discussed potential spiritual and religious events with the...

SGA officials say their meetings have low attendance despite attempts to publicize them.
Photo by Bethany Hamlin.

SGA-student communication falls short

By Shafaq Patel / April 5, 2017

Problems with communication and engagement are part of the reason that all the Student Government Association candidates on this year’s ballot are unopposed...

SGA finances greek life dance marathon fundraiser

SGA finances greek life dance marathon fundraiser

By Shafaq Patel / March 30, 2017

Alpha Phi Omega will host an overnight dance marathon in April with funds from a Student Government Association appeal. Emerson’s chapter of the co...

SGA's 2017 ballot as of March 30.

SGA: An unrecognized organization

By Shafaq Patel / March 30, 2017

Kenzy Peach started her write-in Student Government Association campaign after she learned no one is on the ballot for the class of 2018 president. Anne...

Don’t pick on his penis, pick on his policies

By Shafaq Patel / March 29, 2017

I was in class a couple of weeks ago when a student announced some breaking Trump news. People around me expressed their frustration, and the person next...

EAGLE to hold week of sex education events

EAGLE to hold week of sex education events

By Shafaq Patel / March 23, 2017

Emerson’s Alliance for Gays, Lesbians, and Everyone will host two weeks of LGBTQ sexual education awareness with funds from a Student Government Association...

SGA funds ASIA cultural month

SGA funds ASIA cultural month

By Shafaq Patel / March 23, 2017

Asian Students for Intercultural Awareness received funding this Tuesday for its annual cultural month, which will highlight diverse stories of Asians...

Anne Makielski, current class of 2018 president, is running unopposed for executive president. Photo by: Cassandra Martinez/ Beacon Staff

All SGA candidates running unopposed

By Shafaq Patel / March 22, 2017

The only students running for any position in the Student Government Association elections this year—excluding potential write-ins—are unopposed, largely...

Faculty assembly votes to assert values

Faculty assembly votes to assert values

By Shafaq Patel / March 2, 2017

Faculty members at Tuesday’s Faculty Assembly meeting learned that the make-up day for last month’s snow day will be moved from a Saturday in April...

SGA funds EVVY Awards, Flawless Brown

SGA funds EVVY Awards, Flawless Brown

By Shafaq Patel / March 2, 2017

The EVVY Awards received extra funding from the Student Government Association for its 36th Annual show. The $25,618.81 grant was announced at last week’s...

SGA discusses campus climate review

By Shafaq Patel / February 16, 2017

Emerson’s director of intercultural affairs introduced a plan to the Student Government Association to bring students of different cultural backgrounds...

SGA talks concerns, elects two officers

SGA talks concerns, elects two officers

By Shafaq Patel / February 9, 2017

The Student Government Association considered student concerns about career services, sustainability, and resources to present to the Board of Trustees. Gabriela...

Approximately 25,000 people attended the Copley Square protest Sunday.
CASSANDRA MARTINEZ / BEACON STAFF

Cultural orgs join refugee ban protest

By Shafaq Patel / February 2, 2017

Emerson multicultural organizations rescheduled a retreat Sunday to join a protest for immigration and Muslim rights in Copley Square. About 25 leaders...

UNITE petitions for sanctuary campus

By Shafaq Patel / February 2, 2017

An Emerson organization created a petition requesting President M. Lee Pelton and the the college to declare Emerson as a sanctuary campus Emerson...

SGA backs new sanctuary campus petition

SGA backs new sanctuary campus petition

By Shafaq Patel / January 26, 2017

Student Government Association voted to unanimously support a new petition requesting Emerson to publicly declare itself a sanctuary campus to assist undocumented...

SGA recognizes new orgs

SGA recognizes new orgs

By Shafaq Patel / December 8, 2016

In their most recent meeting, the Student Government Association funded a variety of organizations to help them produce scripts, music, and virtual reality. SGA...

SGA funds Freakin' Beakin print issue

SGA funds Freakin’ Beakin print issue

By Shafaq Patel / December 1, 2016

One of Emerson’s satirical news organizations, Hyena Comedy, will print an issue of the Freakin’ Beakin for the first time since 2014, thanks to almost...

Piper Clark, a resident assistant, was one of three students who started the group. Photo by Shafaq Patel

Emerson Buddy System takes off

By Shafaq Patel / December 1, 2016

While students discussed street harassment during Emerson’s Stop Negative Attention in Public spaces week at the end of October, three concerned students...

SGA approves film gear grant

SGA approves film gear grant

By Shafaq Patel / November 17, 2016

Students in Emerson’s chapter of the National Broadcasting Society(NBS) will buy a new camera after the Student Government Association approved an appeal...

Students protest Donald Trump's election in 2016.

Students react to election results

By Bret Hauff, Shafaq Patel and Nathanael King / November 16, 2016

America has spoken, but a cloud of confusion cast its shadow at Emerson the day after Donald Trump became President-elect. Somber stares replaced the...

Assistant Dean of the School of the Arts Tom Kingdon is in charge of the new minor. Photo:
Cassandra Martinez / Beacon Staff

New minor could change storytelling education

By Shafaq Patel / November 9, 2016

Nonfiction stories are told through many different mediums, and some departments at Emerson have decided to collaborate so students have the opportunity...

SGA funds Mercutio Troupe

SGA funds Mercutio Troupe

By Shafaq Patel / October 27, 2016

The Student Government Association granted an appeal Tuesday to Mercutio Troupe for its production of Into the Woods and reviewed discussions with the...

SGA grants fashion funds

SGA grants fashion funds

By Shafaq Patel / October 20, 2016

At their meeting on Tuesday, the Student Government Association granted appeals to a number of student organizations to help them fund fashion shows and...

SGA grants Emertainment funds, elects new officers

SGA grants Emertainment funds, elects new officers

By Shafaq Patel / September 29, 2016

On Tuesday, the Student Government Association elected two new members and granted an appeal for funds that will enable Emertainment Monthly staff to attend...