Ceremony Details:
The MBA Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 21 at 2PM at the Greek Theatre. The ceremony typically lasts 90 minutes.

All guests (including children and infants) must have a ticket to the ceremony. See here for the remaining pick-up opportunities. Graduates in regalia do not need tickets.

Weather:
The forecast is unpredictable. Check the weather report and advise your guests to dress appropriately as the Greek Theatre is not covered. Graduates - on a sunny day your black gowns can get rather warm. Due to uneven surfaces in the Greek, we advise that high heel shoes be avoided.

Graduate Arrival:
Graduates need to arrive between 12:30PM and 1PM at the South end (entrance closer to Haas) and head to the backstage area dressed in your cap and gown. Only graduates in regalia will be admitted backstage. Proceed to the FTMBA table and pick up a name card. You will write your name on this card as you want it to be announced when you walk across the stage. This card also serves as a record for the photographer, and you’ll list your name and email on the back.

Please allow plenty of time to park (more parking info below).

Guest Arrival:
Instruct guests to arrive early (gates open at 1PM) and enter through the North Entrance (closer to Hearst Street).

Guests needing ADA assistance should enter through the South Entrance (closer to Haas). Read more about ADA logistics here.

(Graduates) Lining Up for the Processional:
There is no special seating order for graduates. You will be in a single file line when the ceremony begins, so line up with the person you wish to sit with. The processional will start promptly at 2PM and you will march out into the seating areas.

During Commencement, each degree program will recognize several award winners and each will have a student speaker. You will walk across the stage, have your name read, receive a scroll, shake hands with Dean Ann Harrison and have your picture taken before proceeding back to the seating area. Full-Time MBA Students will be acknowledged first, followed by the Evening & Weekend MBA Students.

All graduates will stay for the entire ceremony, which ends at approximately 4PM.

Security Protocol:
All guests entering the Greek Theatre will be required to walk through metal detectors. Please ensure that guests arrive early enough to allow for this security step. While the stadium has numerous metal detectors at the entrance, and the security staff will ensure the process is as speedy as possible, guests should allocate additional time to enter the theatre. Remember, the processional will start promptly at 2PM.

Livestream:
The commencement ceremony will be livestreamed here. Please share this link with family and friends who aren’t able to attend. The ceremony will also be recorded and available to watch a few days after the ceremony from the same link.

Parking:

General parking will be available in the Foothill Lot (On Cyclotron Road, east of Highland Avenue) and the Upper Hearst Structure (at the corner of Hearst Ave and Gayley Rd). The cost will be $10.00 (credit card only).*

* Please note that these prices are subject to change

The Stadium Parking Lot next to Bowles/Memorial Stadium is a paid public lot and generally has a high flat event rate.

More information about parking here.

What's Allowed at the Greek?
Allowed:

• Small umbrellas for sun or rain

• Water bottles

NOT Allowed:

• Strollers (There will be stroller parking at both entrances)

• Coolers or ice chests

• Large blankets

• Tobacco products

• Noisemakers

• Large signs

• Alcoholic beverages

• Bicycles

• Skateboards

• Large bags or backpacks (purses are fine, though they may be searched)

• Pets

• Balloons (may be tied up and left at the entrance)

Restrooms:
Restrooms are located at both ends of the amphitheater. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is located inside the North entrance.

Reception:
The ceremony will be followed by a reception from 4-5:30PM in the Haas Courtyard. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are not required.

(Graduates) Hand-Me-Gown Program
You can donate your gown and hood to the Class of 2023. Look for blue bins at the reception to donate your gown and hood.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask on Slack at #ask-ftmbalife or through email at ftmbalife@haas.berkeley.edu.

If any persons attending need captioning accommodation they can go to the following URL and read captions off their personal device:

https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=UCBerkeley

For the health and safety of all graduates, your families, faculty and staff participating in commencement on Saturday, only graduates will be allowed to cross the stage. There will be opportunities for photos with your family outside the Greek Theater and at the reception immediately following in the Haas Courtyard. Thanks for your cooperation as we are expecting over 4000 people attending Saturday’s event.

Yes the December 2022 MBA/MPH grads can walk in this ceremony.

Full information and a parking map can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bF4aXHok8CEGmFZTtwjS2pAcJgpeZKYw/view?ts=6254a508

TL;DR: During Commencements, parking is very limited at UC Berkeley. Public parking will be available at attendant-controlled lots for $10. PARKING IS CREDIT CARD ONLY– NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED. Visa, MC, Discover, and AmEx all okay.

Drivers must purchase a permit from the attendant to be displayed on the dashboard. UCB Parking & Transportation will sell parking at the following locations:

• Foothill Lot (on Cyclotron Road, east of Highland) - $10.00

• Upper Hearst Structure (at the corner of Hearst Ave and Gayley Rd) - $10.00

• The City of Berkeley Maxwell Stadium Garage (on Gayley, next to the Greek Theater) may also be available.

DISABLED PARKING

All designated Disabled spaces and non-reserved spaces will be available at the above lots & rates to disabled patrons with

certified handicapped placards or license plates on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no designated parking lot or

special rates for Disabled Placard holders.

The Greek Theater currently does not require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for entrance. The Greek Theater does not require masks but strongly recommends them.

There may be a need to modify the ceremony or add additional requirements to attend the ceremony based on Public Health guidance. We will update you as soon as we know more. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work to create a safe and healthy environment for all of our graduates, family, and friends.

Updated 4/16: Regalia is required.

There are two stores close to campus that sell regalia – the Cal Student Store and the Fall Rush Store. Items you will need to order at minimum are:

• Cap

• Gown

• Tassel

• MBA Hood (Drab color)

Fall Rush - 2470 Bancroft Way
You can purchase regalia in person, by phone at 510-845-1226 or order online. Be sure to request the MBA “drab” hood.

Cal Student Store - 2495 Bancroft Way in Lower Sproul Plaza
You can purchase regalia in person or order online. Be sure to also add a Master Hood in the MBA "drab", found on their website in the My Grad section.

Here is the link to purchase announcements through the book store: https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/merchandise/announcements-47.

Here is another customizable option: https://graduation-announcements.signaturea.com/University-of-California---Berkeley-graduation-announcements.html

Order Tickets

There is no limit to the number of people you bring to Commencement but each person will need a ticket to enter the Greek Theater. You will need to pick up your tickets from the Program Office (Student Services building suite S420) in advance. Look for more information about when to pick up your tickets closer to the date.

Note: To get your tickets, you will need to enter your employment status in CMG Bears.

Order Tickets

Yes, you can update your request up until Friday, May 6th in the Google Form.

No action is needed if you do not plan to attend. However, we'll miss you!

Think of Friday as a Consumption Function with Defining Leadership Principle Awards being announced. This is an opportunity for the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022 to gather with family.

Saturday will include all the EW Grads and their families. This reception will last around 90 minutes.

No, you do not need tickets for Friday's event and there is no limit to the number of people you can bring.

Guests needing ADA assistance should enter the Greek Theatre from the South entrance and ask an usher or staff member to escort them to the ADA seating area.

Patrons may be dropped off at the South Gate in the Bowles Lot (no parking allowed). There will be a few folding chairs for people to sit in while they wait to get seated by the ushers. Two wheelchairs are available to transport guests with special needs to their seats.

Please note that although the Greek Theatre is a wheelchair-accessible venue, it is large and steep and we recommend that guests needing extra assistance have an escort.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING LOCATIONS AT THE GREEK THEATRE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

SECTION "A" SPACES FOR WHEELCHAIRS

• Row A seats 21-35 Space for wheelchair and companions

• Row A seats 22-36 Space for wheelchair and companions

• Row T 2-32 Space for wheelchair and companions

• Row T 1-31 Space for wheelchair and companions

NORTH TERRACE

• Row H 43-77 Space for wheelchair and companions

• Row L 37-43 Space for wheelchair and companions

Outside aisle seats on both even-numbered sections and odd-numbered sections don’t have armrests for patrons but are accessible seats. Those seats are below:

• Row E 41 and 44

• Row G 43 and 44

• Row J 43 and 46

• Row S 47 and 48

ADA PARKING
Accessible parking is available in several locations; behind the box office (very limited availability), as well as Lots B, C and G. Parking lot entrances are off Vermont Avenue. All lots include spaces for rear-loading and side-loading vans and have accessible paths of travel to seating areas. Greek Theatre parking is very limited, including accessible parking which frequently sells out in advance. Designated parking is available for vehicles displaying a current state-issued disability placard or license plate. Accessible parking is on a first come first parked basis. A space in a specific lot cannot be purchased in advance. Once accessible parking spaces are full, guests will be directed to the closest available general parking area.

Currently, the Greek Theater offers drop-off in the Bowles Lot adjacent to the theater.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING PARKING, ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES, PLEASE CALL THE BOX OFFICE AT 323-606-8106

Accessible seating cannot be reserved, but anyone who needs ADA seating will get it. Please follow the directions in the question above to find accessible parking and seating. Greek Theater staff will assist you and your guests to the appropriate seat day of.

Please call the box office at 323-606-8106 for further information.

Due to space constraints, Cal Performances can only guarantee seating for one companion for each guest in the ADA seating area.