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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

Juniors Christopher Rodriguez and Grant Rosado create a t-shirt company to help those suffering during the coronavirus outbreak.

Juniors create T-shirt company to raise money for coronavirus relief

By Katiana Hoefle / April 27, 2020

Juniors Christopher Rodriguez and Grant Rosado lost their jobs, at a retail ski shop and dry cleaner respectively, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused non-essential...

SGA at a Fall 2019 Joint Session meeting.

SGA Elections preview of senate and class council candidates

By Charlie McKenna / April 26, 2020

The Student Government Association's spring 2020 election features 19 students running for political office against the backdrop of a pandemic and a brand...

Residents of the island celebrate the opening of a new bridge in Crocoville.

How Animal Crossing reconnected me with my friends during COVID-19

By Tomas Gonzalez, Former Staff Writer/Photographer / April 15, 2020

Today, I did something I hadn’t done in a while. I went outside to meet up with some friends—except, I didn’t leave my sofa. My friends and I...

VMA Department Chair Brooke Knight said he and the associate chairs identified 92 sections of production courses that would be significantly impacted by the transition to online.

Online learning results in alterations to VMA production courses

By Shruti Rajkumar / April 14, 2020

Sophomore visual media arts major Lauren Miller was preparing to film a group final project when the college announced it would be switching to remote...

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, Former 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...

The college was investigated by the Office of Civil Rights twice in the past five years for complaints of disability discrimination

Emerson to house nearly 100 Tufts medical professionals

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / April 10, 2020

Emerson will provide housing for about 100 medical professionals from Tufts Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a college official.   The...

“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, Former 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....

Kaitlyn Fehr

Isolated castle or populous city: I felt safer at Kasteel Well

By Kaitlyn Fehr, Chief Copyeditor / April 8, 2020

On March 6, all 81 Kasteel Well students were brought back to Boston by the college due to rising concerns about the spread of COVID-19. We were told this...

"Now, we are these 'bears' that need to stay motivated and 'feed' ourselves with skills learned remotely. "

Maintaining normalcy in spite of drastic changes

By Jocelyn Yang, Opinion Editor / April 7, 2020

Recently, my dad told me on the phone that after 70 days of home quarantine, he was finally able to go out following China’s ease on their lockdown....

Manager of Custodial Services Nestor Carranza said Emerson hired five additional temporary employees from night cleaning companies.

Custodial staff face increase in items left behind by departing students

By Ann E. Matica, Former Deputy News Editor / April 1, 2020

In the scramble to vacate campus two weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened in Massachusetts, students left behind more items in residential building...

Faculty vote to support pass/fail policy for undergraduate students

Faculty vote to support pass/fail policy for undergraduate students

By Parker Purifoy, Former Managing Editor / March 31, 2020

Faculty Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a policy that will give undergraduate students a pass/fail option for their classes during their meeting...

Emerson launches initiative to rebuild the community in upcoming academic year

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...

"We did not just work so hard for four years and not be able to celebrate those achievements with our friends and loved ones. We deserve to walk."

Seniors are robbed of a milestone by not walking in person

By Melissa Rosales, Podcast Producer / March 31, 2020

In an email to the Class of 2020, President M. Lee Pelton announced that Commencement on May 9 and 10 will be postponed.  “No doubt, this news comes...

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

A desolate Boston campus is the new reality for remaining students

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / March 29, 2020

One month ago, sophomore Maximo Lawlor served as president at Phi Alpha Tau meetings, wrote for Raiz Magazine, and co-captained the tennis team. Now, he...

Senior Tatiana Melendez, pictured second from the left in the top row, said she was looking forward to celebrating Commencement with her friends.
Top Row (left to right): Jonah Puskar, Ann Zhang, Raz Moayed.
Bottom Row (left to right): Melissa Leslie, Lily Scher.

Seniors hoping to walk in May face altered plans as COVID-19 spreads

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / March 25, 2020

Senior Tatiana Melendez found out there wouldn't be a traditional 2020 Commencement weekend only a week after her ELA classes moved online and she had...

College staff member tests positive for COVID-19

College staff member tests positive for COVID-19

By Parker Purifoy, Former Managing Editor / March 25, 2020

An Emerson staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first diagnosis within the college community, President M. Lee Pelton announced in...

Letter: Open Letter to the Administration of Emerson College

Letter: Open Letter to the Administration of Emerson College

By Ryan Rock / March 20, 2020

Ryan Rock is a senior theatre major To the Emerson College administration, I want to understand more exactly the basis in which you are describing...

Photo credit: Ally Rzesa

How student journalism saved me during the COVID-19 crisis

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / March 20, 2020

On Friday, March 13, Emerson College announced it would close its residence halls, effectively kicking us all out of our dorms. Across campus, students...

President M. Lee Pelton.

College plans to issue partial credit for room and board, not tuition

By Dana Gerber, Former News Editor / March 19, 2020

While Emerson will be issuing partial credit for room and board charges for the spring semester due to circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Diky Melville, general manager of The Fourth Wall, said the business will suffer greatly with students leaving at the preventative measures set by Gov. Charlie Baker

Local restaurants struggle with new regulations and lack of college students

By Parker Purifoy, Former Managing Editor / March 18, 2020

Local businesses are reeling after Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Martin Walsh laid out a sweeping set of regulations over the weekend that prohibits restaurants...