Our Commencement Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00am. We are excited to celebrate our Fall 2023 - Fall 2024 graduates!
Commencement Registration
Registration closed on April 15, 2024. Please contact our Events Coordinator with any questions you may have.
The Geography department’s commencement is free for both the students participating as well as the guests who will be attending. We do not require tickets for our ceremony. Graduates are welcome to bring as many guests as they’d like. If the number of guests that you are bringing has changed from what you indicated on the registration form, that’s fine! We will have ample seating for all guests.
Location and Timeline
- Our ceremony will take place in the Pauley Ballroom, located in the MLK Student Union. The address for the building is:
2495 Bancroft Way
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
- All graduating students are expected to arrive at the Pauley Ballroom by 9:20am in order to participate in a walk-through prior to the ceremony beginning at 10:00am. It is very, very important that you attend this rehearsal so that you know where to sit, stand, and walk when the ceremony begins.
- Your commencement guests do not need to attend this rehearsal. They are welcome to join in time for the ceremony or hang out elsewhere on campus while you rehearse; if need be, they can sit in the ballroom, though we would prefer they not be present for the rehearsal so as to not spoil the surprise!
- The ceremony officially begins at 10:00am and will end by 11:30am. You can find our event program here.
- A reception on the balcony outside of the Pauley Ballroom will begin as soon as the ceremony ends and will wrap up by 12:30pm.
Regalia
All participating students are strongly encouraged to wear a cap and gown, which are available for purchase at the Cal Student Store. For students earning their PhD, please also obtain a Graduation Doctor Hood in PhD Blue. Green Geography honors cords will be gifted to undergraduate students who completed a Geography honors course.
Parking
We strongly encourage the use of public transportation or carpooling to the ceremony, if possible. Parking on campus can be limited, and availability and prices may vary. Commencement parking information can be found here. Please note that our department does not manage event parking.
accessibility
Pauley Ballroom is wheelchair accessible via the elevators when entering the MLK Jr Building anywhere between the basement - 2nd floor and then taking the elevator to the 3rd floor.
If you require accommodations for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please contact the Event Coordinator.
Photos
The professional commencement photography company, GradImages, will be present at our ceremony and will be photographing students as they cross the stage, as well as snapping shots throughout the ceremony. GradImages will send proofs of the images after the ceremony which you are welcome, but certainly not required, to purchase. Folks who register with GradImages prior to the ceremony will get 20% off their order.
Diplomas
Diplomas are not given out at the commencement ceremony. Instead, they are mailed about four months after the end of a student’s graduating term. More information on diplomas and graduation verification, please visit the Office of the Registrar website.
Lodging
Information on lodging near Berkeley’s campus, and other local accommodations, can be found at Visit Berkeley. For more information on Berkeley campus tours, maps, and directions, please visit Berkeley Visitors Services.