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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

Former staffers speak out on working conditions, racial and gender disparity and lack of growth opportunity at college

Former staffers speak out on working conditions, racial and gender disparity and lack of growth opportunity at college

By Adri Pray / August 30, 2022

Angie attended Emerson during her undergraduate years and loved the experience so much she enrolled in the college’s graduate program, eventually landing...

Emerson College President M. Lee Pelton

Analysis: turnover following presidential departures

By Frankie Rowley / December 14, 2021

Since the departure of former President M. Lee Pelton, Emerson has seen a number of key individuals cut their ties with the college—many of them amicably,...

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...

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 petitions for overdue salary increases

By Bailey Allen / September 16, 2021

Almost a year after college administrators promised to give all staff the annual 3.9 percent salary increase agreed upon during the union's 2018 collective...

A COVID-19 vaccination site

Vaccination requirement extended to faculty, staff

By Camilo Fonseca, Assistant News Editor / July 30, 2021

Emerson faculty and staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus in the fall, in an extension of the college’s previous directive...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Emerson College staff member stuck in freight elevator

By Ann E. Matica / April 11, 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 sanitation worker cleaning a room.

Maintenance staff risk safety to protect community

By Ann E. Matica / April 8, 2021

When maintenance worker Ramiro Soto returns home after a long day of cleaning Emerson buildings, he disinfects his backpack, jumps in the shower, and places...

About 70 staff union members lined the hallway elbow-to-elbow on the lower level of the Max Mutchnick Campus Center while college administrators entered room L-151 for a contract negotiation with the union’s bargaining committee in April. Chris Van Buskirk / Beacon Archive.

No benefit restoration in sight despite strong financial outlook

By Dana Gerber / April 5, 2021

Emerson’s financial state remains stable as the end of the 2021 fiscal year draws near, but college officials remain uncertain when they can reinstitute...