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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

President M. Lee Pelton responds to community unrest following COVID-19 pandemic.

“Leaders need to know when to leave”: Pelton departs Emerson presidency for Boston Foundation

By Dana Gerber / June 1, 2021

President M. Lee Pelton’s fondest memories from his decade at the helm of Emerson are those marked by beginnings.  “The thing that even now moves...

An in-person class taking place at Emerson.

Emerson changes course, pivots to fully in-person fall semester

By Dana Gerber / April 21, 2021

In a shift from previous plans, Emerson will transition to a fully in-person academic semester on all campuses this fall for students, who will now be...

People walking through the intersection of Boylston and Tremont street.

Students outraged over tuition hike

By Dana Gerber, Alec Klusza and Charlie McKenna / March 25, 2021

After college officials announced last week that tuition, room, and board rates would be rising two percent for the second year in a row, students expressed...

Katie Redefer is a senior journalism major and the Editor-in-Chief of The Berkeley Beacon.

Letter from the Editor: Reflecting on a year of the pandemic

By Katie Redefer / March 19, 2021

The past 12 months may have been the most unprecedented year of our lifetime. The first pandemic of the 21st century transformed life as we knew it in...

Students waiting in front of the Piano Row building.

Analysis: After bracing for disaster, Emerson poised to escape pandemic financially viable

By Andrew Brinker / March 18, 2021

The past year, dominated by an unrelenting pandemic, has been marked by resounding loss. More than 500,000 have died in the U.S. alone—that toll’s...

75 Arlington St, the Building where the Boston Foundation office is located in.

Pelton poised to reshape Boston Foundation presidency

By Frankie Rowley / March 4, 2021

After Emerson President M. Lee Pelton steps into his new role as CEO and President of The Boston Foundation on June 1, he will be tasked with setting new...

President M. Lee Pelton.

Emerson taps Storbeck Search to find President Lee Pelton’s replacement

By Dana Gerber and Frankie Rowley / January 22, 2021

Emerson tapped Storbeck Search, an executive search firm that specializes in leadership hiring for education and nonprofits, to assist the board of trustees...

President M. Lee Pelton responds to community unrest following COVID-19 pandemic.

President Pelton condemns capitol siege in letter

By Frankie Rowley / January 6, 2021

President M. Lee Pelton condemned Wednesday’s siege of the United States Capitol building, a last-ditch effort by Trump loyalists to overturn the results...

President Lee Pelton announced the Marlboro-Emerson merger at a town hall meeting in fall 2019. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

President Lee Pelton to resign in June, lead Boston Foundation

Emerson President M. Lee Pelton will leave his position in June to take over as chief executive officer and president of local philanthropic leader The...

President M. Lee Pelton.

College places ninth in US News and World Report regional rankings

By Charlie McKenna / September 16, 2020

Emerson landed in a tie for ninth in the annual U.S. News and World Report ranking of top 10 regional universities in the north, marking the fifth year...

President M. Lee Pelton will head a Boston committee tasked with combating racism and inequality.

Pelton to lead Boston steering committee combating racism and inequity

By Charlie McKenna / June 25, 2020

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s office appointed President M. Lee Pelton to lead a new citywide steering committee that will raise money to combat racism,...

Emerson anticipates massive losses during the 2020-21 fiscal year, ranging from $33 million to $76 million, President M. Lee Pelton said in a letter to faculty Monday.

Emerson projects up to $76 million in COVID-19 losses

By Diana Bravo / June 22, 2020

The college projects losses between $33 and $76 million in the next fiscal year due to the COVID-19 crisis, according to a letter President M. Lee Pelton...

President M. Lee Pelton speaking to students who were forced to evacuate the Netherlands during the Spring 2020 semester after COVID-19 spread rapidly around the world. Pelton expressed support for the "Defund the Police" initiative Tuesday, saying that the police are overly militarized and the system needs overhauled, in a virtual panel with Commonwealth Magazine.

Pelton voices support for “Defund the Police” initiative in virtual panel

By Diana Bravo / June 18, 2020

President M. Lee Pelton joined mounting numbers nationwide in voicing support for the “Defund the Police” initiative that calls for police department...

The marquee outside Emerson's Paramount Center reads "Black Lives Matter" following the killing of George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis by a white police officer.

Pelton releases statement addressing nationwide outcry over George Floyd killing

By Charlie McKenna / May 31, 2020

President M. Lee Pelton issued an emotional statement to the Emerson community Sunday night detailing his reaction to the killing of George Floyd by a...

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, Assistant Enterprise 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...

President M. Lee Pelton.

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

By Dana Gerber, Assistant Enterprise 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,...

Freshman Santha Rowles said she is worried her production classes will lose value online.

A day filled with uncertainty finds students reacting to online classes

By Andrew Brinker, Aaron J. Miller and Tomas Gonzalez / March 10, 2020

A mix of emotions gripped students Tuesday evening after President M. Lee Pelton announced the transition of all classes to remote instruction following...

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

College to consider halting study abroad programs as coronavirus spreads

By Andrew Brinker / March 6, 2020

The college is assessing the status of all study abroad programs and preparing to ensure “academic continuity” in the event that residential operations...

President Pelton met with community members in a round table session after Town Meeting. Jacob Seitz / Beacon Staff

Respect the Marlboro community by maintaining communication

By Editorial Board / November 20, 2019

This Wednesday, President M. Lee Pelton set foot in Marlboro College for the first time since announcing the Marlboro-Emerson merger. Emerson plans to...

Head Selectperson Charlie Hickman addresses the Marlboro Town Meeting. Lizzie Heintz / Beacon Staff

Marlboro Town Meeting addresses students’ concerns for future of campus

By Jacob Seitz / November 14, 2019

MARLBORO, Vt.—Marlboro College President Kevin Quigley informed his community members Wednesday that it is not up to them to decide the fate of the campus—directly...