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

Alia Seraj with her father, Prince Abdul Ali Seraj, in the Boston Public Garden

Afghan royalty, class of 2004, reflects on country’s legacy in wake of American withdrawal

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / September 2, 2021

Like many of her Emerson peers, Alia Seraj ‘04 has witnessed the United States’ intervention in Afghanistan for nearly all her adult life. Yet her...

Jefferson Fietek's Anoka County MN mugshot

‘I feel relief that he will not be able to harm anyone else;’ Victims of former performing arts professor speak out

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / September 2, 2021

For the victims of former Emerson professor, Jefferson Fietek, his arrest was a bittersweet moment. They expressed relief seeing their childhood abuser...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the Little Building.

Students return to a new campus with eased COVID-19 restrictions

As students moved onto campus for the fall term, they returned to a bustling campus with minimized social distancing restrictions—a far cry from the...

Outside of the Emerson College Testing Center.

College reports 14 positive COVID-19 tests in week of testing

By Charlie McKenna and Camilo Fonseca / September 2, 2021

Despite the vaccine mandate for community members, Emerson has reported 14 positive COVID-19 tests in just over a week since the start of fall semester...

The Emerson Los Angeles campus.

Emerson Los Angeles boasts a successful summer semester

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 31, 2021

After over a year of vacant halls, classrooms, and dorms, Emerson Los Angeles finally opened its doors to a small group of students for the 2021 summer...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports average of 1,267 coronavirus cases in last seven days

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 23, 2021

Between Aug. 17 and Aug. 23, Massachusetts reported an average of 1,267 COVID-19 cases each day. In the same seven-day period, the death toll rose by 31. Cases...

Ryan Milligan was previously working at Tufts University and at the U.S. Office of Civil Rights Department of Education for over ten years beforehand. Photo credit: Cho Yin Rachel Lo

Acting Title IX Coordinator, Ryan Milligan, departs Emerson

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 22, 2021

Emerson’s acting Title IX coordinator, Ryan Milligan, departed Emerson on Aug. 15,  college officials announced last week.  Milligan came to Emerson...

Jefferson Fietek was an assistant professor for performing arts at Emerson College starting in 2019.

Former Emerson professor pleads guilty to sexually abusing former students

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 21, 2021

Former assistant professor Jefferson Fietek pleaded guilty to three felony counts of criminal sexual conduct Thursday, and now faces thirty years in prison,...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports average of 1,126 coronavirus cases in last seven days

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 17, 2021

Between Aug. 10 and Aug. 16, Massachusetts reported an average of 1,126 COVID-19 cases each day. In the same seven-day period, the death toll rose by 48. Cases...

A sign on the window of Emerson's coronavirus testing site at Tufts Medical Center.

Students required to undergo two COVID-19 tests upon move-in

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / August 10, 2021

Emerson will require two baseline COVID-19 tests for arriving students moving into on-campus housing in the fall semester, according to college officials.   The...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. speaking at a COVID-19 update inside the Massachusetts State House.

Massachusetts reports daily average of 447 coronavirus cases in last seven days

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / July 27, 2021

Between July 20 and July 26, Massachusetts reported an average of 447 COVID-19 cases each day. In the same seven-day period, the death toll rose by 26. Cases...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports average of 242 coronavirus cases in last eight days

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / July 19, 2021

Between July 12 and July 19, Massachusetts reported an average of 242 COVID-19 cases each day. In the same eight-day period, the death toll rose by 13. Cases...

Former WERS General Manager Jack Casey

Jack Casey leaves WERS after 16 years

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / July 12, 2021

While Jack Casey may have retired from his role as general manager of Emerson’s WERS radio station, don’t expect the Emerson alumnus to leave the college...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports average of 85 coronavirus cases in last seven days

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / July 11, 2021

Between July 5 and July 11, Massachusetts reported an average of 85 COVID-19 cases each day. In the same seven-day period, the death toll rose by 12. Cases...

Emerson's COVID-19 testing center at the corner of Kneeland Street and Harrison Ave.

Emerson to drop mask requirements, maintain weekly testing requirement in fall semester

By Charlie McKenna / July 7, 2021

Emerson will drop its mask requirement in the fall semester but still mandate weekly COVID-19 testing for all community members, regardless of their vaccination...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports 56 new coronavirus cases

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / June 26, 2021

Massachusetts reported 56 new coronavirus cases Saturday, down from the 60 cases reported Friday. The death toll rose by 2. Cases have fallen below...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker

Massachusetts reports 78 new coronavirus cases

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / June 24, 2021

Massachusetts reported 78 new coronavirus cases Thursday, up from the 68 cases reported Wednesday. The death toll rose by 4. Cases have fallen below...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 48 new coronavirus cases

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / June 21, 2021

Massachusetts reported 48 new coronavirus cases Monday, a rise from the 41 cases reported Sunday. The death toll rose by 5. Cases have fallen below...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 41 new coronavirus cases

By Camilo Fonseca, Editor-at-large / June 20, 2021

Massachusetts reported 41 new coronavirus cases Sunday, a decline from the 91 cases reported Saturday. The death toll rose by 5. Cases have consistently...

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Massachusetts reports 91 new coronavirus cases

By Frankie Rowley, Content Managing Editor / June 19, 2021

Massachusetts reported 91 new coronavirus cases Saturday, a rise from the 71 cases reported Friday. The death toll rose by 6. Cases have fallen below...