Commencement 2022

The Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs (ISSP) will host a joint Department Commencement Ceremony for their three majors – Global Studies, Political Economy, and Cognitive Science. The joint Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 22, 2022, 9AM at the Greek Theatre.

The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. There will be no reception following the ceremony.

Commencement Registration: Registration for graduating students is closed. If you missed the registration deadline, we were not able to print your name in the program but you can still attend the ceremony and walk across the stage.

Commencement Tickets:  Graduating students walking in the Commencement Ceremony do not need a ticket for themselves. Please wear a cap and gown.

Guest tickets can be purchased from the Cal Performances Ticket Office for $10 each (free for children under 2 years).  There is no limit on the number of tickets that may be purchased. 

Tickets can be purchased:

• Online via https://secure-tickets.berkeley.edu/18005/18006 (Note that the ticket sales site is titled “IAS and Cognitive Science”
• Over the phone at 510-642-9988
• At the Ticket Office at Zellerbach Hall (Tues-Fri, 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat-Sun, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.)

At the Greek Theatre on May 22 from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

NOTE:  Any tickets purchased online, by phone or in person at Zellerbach in advance of the ceremony will be delivered by email only. The email should be printed and brought to the ceremony or can be shown on a smartphone.

Tickets are REQUIRED for guests and no guest will be allowed to enter the Greek Theatre without a ticket. Children under 2 years of age are also required to have a ticket, which will be free of charge.

All seating at the Greek Theatre is general admission and is first-come, first-served (saving seats is not permitted).

CAPS & GOWNS

Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the Cal Student Store in the Graduation Department. The Cal Student Store can be reached for questions at 510-229-4703, and is located on 2495 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94720.

 ARRIVAL AT THE GREEK THEATRE 

Graduating students should enter the Greek Theatre at the South Gate.

Guests should enter through the North Gate.

Guests who require special accommodations may enter through the North Gate or South Gate. See the ACCESSIBILITY section below for more information.

The Greek Theatre will open for graduates and guests to enter at 8:00 am, an hour before the ceremony. Graduates and guests are STRONGLY encouraged to arrive early due to commencement day traffic and increased security clearance procedures.

All graduates must be backstage to prepare for the ceremony no later than 8:20 am. 

Additionally, if guests require special seating, please have them arrive at the Greek Theatre no later than 8:00 am so they can be assisted before crowds arrive.

The Greek Theatre is an outdoor amphitheater and students and guests should be prepared for varying weather conditions and a range of temperatures consistent with the Bay Area. There are no indoor, temperature-controlled areas at the Greek Theatre and guests and students should dress accordingly. Sunscreen is highly recommended, as are blankets and/or layered clothing.

The commencement ceremony will take place rain or shine.

SECURITY PROCEDURES AT GREEK THEATRE

Guests entering the Greek Theatre will be required to walk through metal detectors at the entrances to the venue; please expect a 20-25 minute wait time to enter the theatre and plan accordingly. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 am regardless of those waiting to get through security, and we encourage you to arrive early to ensure that you are in your seat and ready for the ceremony on time!

PROHIBITED ITEMS AT GREEK THEATRE

The following items are PROHIBITED inside the Greek Theatre:

• LARGE BAGS OR BACKPACKS
• GLASS BOTTLES / ALUMINUM CANS
• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
• COOLERS / ICE CHESTS
• BABY STROLLERS (designated parking is available)
• SKATEBOARDS / BICYCLES / SCOOTERS
• MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
• FIREWORKS
• NOISE-MAKERS / AIRHORNS
• ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER
• BALLOONS
• UMBRELLAS
• SIGNS / BANNERS / FLAGS
• TRIPODS FOR CAMERAS
• ANIMALS (with the exception of documented service animals)
• LAWN FURNITURE OR CHAIRS (small blankets, cushions, and low-backed stadium seats are OK)
• ANY ITEMS THAT CAN BE PERCEIVED AS WEAPONS

There is no bag or coat check available. All bags are subject to search.

 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.  Please note there is a curbside, drop-off area on Gayley Road just north of the Greek Theatre entrance for passengers with mobility concerns who prefer to minimize the travel distance to the Greek Theatre. Commencement parking information can be found at https://pt.berkeley.edu/special-events/department-commencements.

Payment for parking is CREDIT CARD ONLY – CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Visa, MC, Discover, and AmEx accepted. For more information about parking, see the Parking and Transportation website on Department Commencements here.  Please note that our department does not manage event parking.

• Directions to the campus
• Campus Map
• 2022 Commencement Parking Information https://pt.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/2022_commencement_information_flyer_and_map_-_distribution.pdf

ACCESSIBILITY

The Greek Theater is wheelchair accessible. Attendees who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility may be dropped off at the North Gate entrance via the wheelchair ramp in front of the Greek Theatre Ticket Office, or the wheelchair ramp at the South Gate entrance. Guests should arrive early to ensure seating in designated accessible areas. Wheelchair accessible seating can be found near both north and south side entrances of the Greek Theatre. The walk from the drop-off area at south entrance is a little shorter than from the north entrance. The ADA restroom are closer to the north entrance.

PICTURES

A professional photographer from GradImages (link is external) will take pictures of graduates as they receive their scrolls, as well as additional pictures prior to and during the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase these photos, and information will be available if guests do wish to purchase them from GradImages.

If you register with GradImages prior to the ceremony, you save 20%. Look under UC Berkeley, and then check under UC Berkeley – Cognitive Science – 5/22/2022 9:00 AM.  (The company could only list one of the major programs in the ceremony.) Or click on this https://www.gradimages.com/registration/Register?ClientID=106921&OccasionRef=177649

The ISSP ceremony is not professionally videotaped or livestreamed and no taped ceremony will be available for purchase.

FLOWERS

Flowers will be sold outside of the Greek Theatre.

DIPLOMAS

Diplomas are not given out at the commencement ceremony. Diplomas are mailed about four months after the end of a student’s graduating term. More information on diplomas, graduation verification, etc. can be found on the College of Letters & Science website here and Office of the Registrar website here.

LODGING

Information on lodging near Berkeley’s campus, and other local accommodations, can be found at Visit Berkeley (link is external). For more information on Berkeley campus tours, maps, and directions, please contact Berkeley Visitors Services.