Meghan Neal and Clay Bolton Faculty and administration members decided at a meeting Friday to continue negotiating towards a union contract, according to a letter sent to the faculty by Union President Eike Satake and Faculty Assembly Chair Tom Kingdon.

Aimie Likens This year's Boston International Film Festival runs from June 22-26. The five-day festival will be held at locations around Boston, including Emerson's Bill Bordy Theater. Last year's festival attracted more than 7,000 film enthusiasts. For a schedule of today's events click here.

Michael Corcoran Some provisions in the the Patriot Act are set to expire at the end of this year. Those in favor of the act plead for its extention, while opponents are hoping to rid the act of certain intrusive elements. On June 22, Massachusetts will hold a hearing on these issues in hopes of passing a bill that opposes parts of the acts that infringe on civil liberties.

Michael Corcoran The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday passed the Sanders Right to Read Amendment by a vote of 238-187. The bill thwarts the governmen'ts ability to seize library records. Local public and academic librarians have supported the amendment.

Amanda Patterson City Councilor Felix Arroyo recently introduced an ordinance that would support and enhance the existing Boston summer jobs for teens program. He and others hope to use some of the surplus of the 2004 Democratic convention for that purpose.

Michael Corcoran A federal court recently ruled that college administrators can censor student newspapers in the same way high school administrators can. The decision has dissapointed student journalists around the country, as well organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists.

Michael Corcoran Several national and local organizations have been formed in an effort to impeach President Bush for lying about the war, and violating international protocol. The release of the "Downing Street Memo," as well as discontent with the war in Iraq, have fueled the movement as of late.

Aimie Likens VMA Professor Carole O'Neill recently received the Collective Bargaining Council's Sternberg Award, given by the American Association of University Professors. O'Neill has been the chief negotiator of the Emerson faculty AAUP chapter in its negotiations with the college for the last several contracts.

Aimie Likens After 12 years as director of Emerson's Counseling Center, Dr. Ann Horwitz is leaving to pursue a full-time private practice. She will be succeeded by the current Assistant Director Dr. Cheryl Rosenthal. Dean of Students Ronald Ludman described Horwitz as an "invaluable colleague."

Clay Bolton Emerson's Film Technical Supervisor Bernie O'Doherty has worked on James Bond movies, has helped Jacques Cousteau and NASA and has been nominated for an Academy Award. Now he is leaving to start his own business, which will focus on saving the 16mm camera by converting it to Super 16mm.

Meghan Neal Emerson faculty and administrators, who have been involved in a bitter contract dispute for two years, said they found a Wednesday meeting to be encouraging and positive. The meeting was the first during the dispute in which college's president and vice president for administration and finance participated.

Aimie Likens and Meghan Neal Vice President of Administration and Finance Robert Silverman has announced his retirement at the end of next school year. His decision comes about in the middle of the continuing faculty/administration dispute.

Michael Corcoran Emerson instructor and Boston television icon, Rex Trailer, is the subject of a new documentary. The film was directed by Michael Bavaro and will air June 18 on CBS4. (For a sample of the film and to hear the Boomtown song click here.)

Cristina Kumka and Gabrielle Strahl Emerson alumni from all walks of life gathered to the "College on the Common" last weekend to see old friends and make new ones. Most were amazed at how the college has changed. Reporter Cristina Kumka finds out what makes this weekend at Emerson so special. Click here to see our video coverage.

Clay Bolton Martin Scorsese's new movie, "The Departed," is set in Boston but most of the filming will be done in New York. Many states such as New York and Louisiana have passed laws giving tax breaks to filmmakers, but Massachusetts is lacking tax incentives and is missing out on films and television programs that could bring revenue to the Commonwealth.

Michael Corcoran Members of the Massachusetts State Legislature, ACLU of Massachusetts, and the League of Women Voters were among those who testified Wednesday at a hearing on H.B.1881, the Resolution Affirming the Civil Rights and Liberties of the People of Massachusetts. The resolution is designed to urge a roll back of powers in the Patriot Act.

Michael Corcoran College students are working hard hoping that when they graduate they will leave their university with new skills, professional contacts, knowledge, and, if they are lucky, a job. But higher tuition rates and new Pell Grant rules may guarantee these students will be leaving college with something else--a large debt.

Clay Bolton Emerson has produced many famous funny people from Jay Leno, to Dennis Leary, and "Mr. Show" host David Cross. But now a new generation of comedians is continuing Emerson's tradition in comedy. Two of the best are Noah Garfinkel (above) and Pat Bocuzzi, who are sharpening their skills at Cambridge's Comedy Studio.

Clay Bolton Emerson College will host the American debut of the "Saving Faces" exhibit in September. The exhibit brings the medical and art worlds together to demonstrate that art can have a therapeutic effect on patients. "Saving Faces" is a collection of portraits of patients before and after facial surgery.

Aimie Likens The Department of Continuing Education is offering summer courses to students in grades 9-12. The Writing, Literature, and Publishing Department is running a five-week Summer Writing Program which starts July 12, and is taught by WLP grad students.

Aimie Likens Children and parents in the city's Head Start program celebrated the organization's 40th annniversary Wednesday at the Boston Common. A parade and entertainment figures made for a fun day to honor the program that helps thousands of low-income families.

Meghan Neal The end of the academic year begins the most transitional time of the year in Boston, as many students either sublet an apartment to live in for the summer, or find someone to sublet theirs.

Aimie Likens Low, spotty summer occupancy of its buildings has forced Emerson College to better monitor its facilities. Anyone who wants to enter an Emerson building must show a valid ID or sign-in at the security desk as part of the college's summer security procedures.

Cristina Kumka In addition to a good education, job searching in 2005 requires good interviewing, networking and resume writing skills. For Emersonians internships also play a critical role. Career Services' Greg Denon has plenty of advice.

Meghan Neal Some Massachusetts legislators are pushing a bill which would make an emergency contraceptive available in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. The drug, commonly referred to as the "morning-after pill," can stop potential pregnancy. But opposition is strong.

Clay Bolton John Coffee has been a history professor at Emerson College for 39 years. Over those years he was loved by both the students and the faculty. Even though he is retiring from teaching he has a few projects planned. Click here for the video story

Michael Corcoran Tom Freston, above, co-president and co-chief operating officer of Viacom; Jonathan Miller, chairman and chief executive officer of America Online Inc.; and Terry Semel, chairman and chief executive officer of Yahoo, are the newly elected members to the Emerson Board of Trustees. David Rosen said this means Emerson has arrived as a national and international institution.

Amanda Patterson Free Shakespeare on the Common is back with a production "Hamlet". The play will run from July 16-August 7 at the Boston Common Parade Grounds. Last year, "Much Ado About Nothing" attracted 85,000 spectators.