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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

Interim President William Gilligan.

Gilligan says goodbye: an interim president’s permanent farewell to Emerson

By Adri Pray / April 26, 2023

William Gilligan knew right away he didn’t want to be president long-term. Gilligan stepped into the interim presidency in May 2021, just weeks after...

Tuition hike.

Student union members react to four percent tuition increase

By Bailey Allen / April 19, 2023

Emerson College is set to increase the undergraduate costs of attendance by four percent for the 2023-24 academic year, prompting negative reactions from...

Jay M. Bernhardt spoke at the Cutler Majestic Theatre Wednesday morning.

Emersonians welcome Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt as 13th president

By Bailey Allen / January 25, 2023

Dr. Jay M. Bernhardt, who will become Emerson College’s 13th president in June after two years of an interim leader presiding, spoke to an energetic...

Emerson's testing site at Tufts Medical Center.

Emerson surge continues as spring semester approaches

By Abigail Lee / January 7, 2022

In the week leading up to students’ return to campus, Emerson reported over 80 positive COVID-19 tests, reflecting a statewide struggle to contain the...

A sign of the COVID testing site of Emerson College and Tufts University.

Emerson issues five-day isolation and quarantine protocols amid surge

By Adri Pray / January 7, 2022

Emerson will decrease its isolation and quarantine time to five days per guidance changes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced...

Classroom 633 of the Walker Building.

Emerson to investigate alleged antisemitic behavior in classroom

By Frankie Rowley / December 21, 2021

Emerson is investigating a report of antisemitic behavior in a classroom that originated in social media, college officials said Tuesday evening.  The...

State of the College: Interim president reflects on Emerson's successes, struggles in 2021

State of the College: Interim president reflects on Emerson’s successes, struggles in 2021

By Bailey Allen / November 29, 2021

Interim President William Gilligan published his first State of the College report on Tuesday detailing the college’s accomplishments over the course...

Creative writing professor appointed interim dean of graduate and professional studies

Creative writing professor appointed interim dean of graduate and professional studies

By Frankie Rowley / November 1, 2021

Creative writing professor Kim McLarin, who leads the college’s MFA in popular fiction writing and publishing, is set to become the interim dean of graduate...

Students entering 2 Boylston Place

‘We don’t feel safe’: Emerson Jewish community reels from yet another antisemitic attack

By Frankie Rowley / October 21, 2021

Emerson’s Jewish community reacted with grief, anger, and mourning after antisemitic graffiti was found scrawled on an event poster for Hillel, the college’s...

Turning Point USA's booth in the 2 Boylston Place alley.

Turning Point event sparks Sinophobia controversy on campus

By Luna Theus, Marcus Cocova and Keshav Vinod / October 9, 2021

The Emerson chapter of Turning Point USA was suspended by the college after the conservative organization passed out controversial stickers that many students...

Interim president sees role as projecting ‘confidence, continuity, and stability’

Interim president sees role as projecting ‘confidence, continuity, and stability’

By Charlie McKenna / October 6, 2021

More than four months into his tenure in the college’s top job, Interim President Bill Gilligan described himself as a steady hand who will guide...

Jan Roberts-Breslin

Graduate dean tapped for provost job

By Camilo Fonseca / September 23, 2021

Jan Roberts-Breslin, dean of graduate and professional studies, will take up the role of provost and vice president of academic affairs on an interim...

Pete Chvany (center), a former Emerson professor and longtime men's soccer coach

‘A friend to hundreds of Emersonians’: Pete Chvany, former professor and men’s soccer coach, dies at age 81

By Frankie Rowley / September 23, 2021

Pete Chvany’s three-decade tenure at Emerson was more than just an academic career—according to his son Alec Chvany ‘95, it was just the “third...

Provost Michaele Whelan

Provost Michaele Whelan set to leave college in November

By Charlie McKenna / September 9, 2021

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michaele Whelan will depart Emerson this fall to become the president of Wheaton College in Norton,...

William Gilligan, former IT head, tapped as interim president

William Gilligan, former IT head, tapped as interim president

By Dana Gerber, News Editor / May 21, 2021

William Gilligan, Emerson's former vice president for information technology, will emerge from retirement to helm the college as interim president...

Brian Basgen, then-Assistant Vice President of IT, at an SGA meeting in 2019.

New head of Emerson’s IT department slated to take over position for spring semester

By Camilo Fonseca, Assistant News Editor / January 19, 2021

Former Associate Vice President of Information Technology Brian Basgen is slated to lead the college’s IT department following the retirement of former...

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,...