Skip to Main Content
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

Dining Center of Emerson College

Transformed dining hall garners mixed reviews from student body

By Sophia Pargas, Living Arts Editor / January 25, 2023

This spring semester, students have returned to the Emerson Dining Center to find several changes in both food quality and station layout—but not all...

The Emerson Staff Union is hoping to have some of their sacrificed benefits reinstated, especially for some of the at-risk staff members.

Staff Union calls for end to hiring freeze

By Bailey Allen and Vivi Smilgius / November 4, 2021

Members of Emerson’s staff union took to the streets this week amid contract negotiations with the college, demanding the college increase hiring...

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

Students dismayed at dining policy changes

By Vivi Smilgius, Correspondent / September 23, 2021

After a year of specialty sandwiches and made-to-order pizzas, Emerson students are once again relying on the dining center and other on-campus locales...

Miranda Nicusanti

First-year student starts dining center food review Instagram account

By Bailey Allen, Staff Writer / February 18, 2021

First-year student Miranda Nicusanti, a visual and media arts major from Orange County, CA, photographs the dining center meals for her Instagram food...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Pizza oven fire extinguished in Dining Center, contraband found in Little Building

By Frankie Rowley / February 14, 2021

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

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

College announces revised meal plans, new Board Bucks locations

By Camilo Fonseca, Assistant News Editor / January 26, 2021

Emerson will offer expanded student meal plans for the spring 2021 semester, along with new Board Bucks partner locations and extended hours of operations...

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

Pandemic restrictions curtail Dining Center accommodations

By Camilo Fonseca / November 9, 2020

Emerson’s dining services cut back on the special accommodations traditionally offered to students with allergies and dietary intolerances, making their...

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...

Dining on campus will see significant alterations in the fall semester.

All meals to be takeout in fall semester

By Charlie McKenna / July 15, 2020

All dining center meals will be served to go in the fall semester, according to a college official.  Food will be served by dining hall staff, seating...

Daniel Suazo (front center), and most of his fellow dining center workers, are not receiving pay or benefits after their hours were eliminated in March.

Dining Services staff fights for full wages and benefits amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Faith Bugenhagen, Staff Writer / April 21, 2020

Daniel Suazo depends on the money he earns from his job at the Emerson College Dining Center to support his child and pregnant wife. As a result of the...

Beacon Archive.

On-campus food establishments receive violations following management switch

By Dana Gerber / January 15, 2020

The Backstage Café and the Dining Center received four violations during the most recent Oct. 21, 2019 inspection, following a string of violations since...

Areas on campus such as the Dining Center, the Lions Den, and the Max Cafe have colored-coded bins to help students separate their waste correctly. Caroline Gomes / Beacon Staff

College’s waste diversion rate increases by 10 percent

By Anna Brenner / November 9, 2019

The college's amount of recycled, composted, or donated on-campus waste increased to 30 percent this year from 20 percent in 2018. However, Emerson’s...

The Latinx Heritage Month celebration took place in the Lion's Den. Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Archives

College spends $2 million for 200 extra seats in Dining Center expansion

By Anissa Gardizy / September 1, 2019

The college plans to open an extension to the Dining Center at 116 Boylston St. Wednesday following the departure of the Whisky Saigon nightclub in June. The...

Kosher foods comply with Jewish dietary guidelines for food preparation and consumption, such as avoiding eating pork or alcohol. Photo by Anissa Gardizy / Beacon Staff

Spiritual Life Director to assess kosher and halal options in Dining Center

By Anissa Gardizy / April 17, 2019

Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Julie Avis Rogers is in the process of meeting with Emerson’s food service provider about whether it can provide...

The college purchased the Walker Building adn 116 Boylston St. in 1998. Whisky Saigon moved into the space in 2013. Photo by William Bloxham / Beacon Correspondent

Nightclub Whisky Saigon to leave Boylston Street by June 2019

By Chris Van Buskirk / March 13, 2019

Whisky Saigon, a nightclub that neighbors the Emerson campus, will vacate 116 Boylston St. by June 30. The college accepted an offer earlier this year...

Students dining in the dining center in March 2019.

Dining Center prepares for increased on-campus population next semester

By Belen Dumont / March 13, 2019

The college plans to relocate serving stations, provide more seating, and expand the hours of the Dining Center to accommodate for the influx of students...

The college's dining center will be providing pre-made meals to students during mandatory quarantine.

Dining Center replaces over 2,000 mugs

By Hanna Marchesseault / January 17, 2019

The Dining Center will not take action to prevent people from stealing mugs for the 2019 spring semester, according to a dining official. Resident...

Beacon Archive.

Dining Center removes major allergens from Pure Station

By Cynthia Tu / October 16, 2018

Bon Appétit removed the eight major allergens from one station in the Dining Center to accommodate students with food allergies, according to Dawn Sajdyk,...

According to the Sustainable Emerson Facebook page, Emerson’s recycling rate last spring ranked No. 141 out of 150 colleges and universities in the nation. • Abbey Finn / Beacon Correspondent

College seeks to redeem recycling and composting rates

By Kaitlyn Bryson / October 10, 2018

Emerson came in last place in a recycling competition against five other Boston colleges and universities last spring. This semester, the Sustainability...

Beacon Archive.

New dining service guarantees fresher options

By Andrew Stanton / September 6, 2018

Bon Appétit Management Company, the food vendor that replaced Sodexo, promises fresh ingredients and new dining options for students this fall. The...