Commencement 25 - Email Archive - Evening & Weekend MBA Students

We look forward to seeing you and your guests at the MBA Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23rd! Please review the following reminders:

Ceremony Details
Parking
What’s Allowed in the Greek?
Security Protocol
Livestream
Reception
Hand-Me-Gown Program

Ceremony Details
The MBA Commencement will take place on Friday, May 23rd at 2PM at the Greek Theatre.

Graduates

Graduates, dressed in regalia, need to arrive by 1PM at the South end of the Greek Theater in the Bowles Parking Lot. Only graduates in regalia are allowed in the check in area.
Proceed to the EWMBA table and pick up a name card to write your name on. You will write your name on this card as you want it to be announced when you walk across the stage.
List your name and email on the back. This card also serves as a record for the photographer, and how the photographer will send you your photos.
Please allow plenty of time to park (more parking info below).
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.
All graduates will stay for the entire ceremony, which ends at approximately 4:00 PM
On a sunny day your black gowns can get rather warm. We recommend wearing sunscreen and bringing a small fan if you have it.
The Greek Theater as well as the Bowles Lot has uneven surfaces so consider your footwear choices carefully.

Guests

All guests (including children and infants) must have a ticket to the ceremony. If you have not picked up your requested tickets, they will be available in the Program Office during normal office hours and from 9:30AM-11:00 AM on Friday, May 23. Graduates in regalia do not need tickets
Haas has pledged to host a more environmentally conscious graduation ceremony by eliminating plastic water bottles, endorsing the use of reusable graduation gowns, and halving the printing of promotional materials. Each family will get two printed programs as mementos (while supplies last) and guests are then encouraged to view and/or download the digital program.
Instruct guests to arrive early (gates open at 1:00 PM) and to enter through the North Entrance (closer to Hearst Street). Guests needing ADA assistance should also enter through the North Entrance. Read more about ADA logistics here.
For security reasons (see below), only graduates are allowed to sit in the bowl of the Greek Theatre. No guests will be allowed to enter the graduate area or to cross the stage, including children.
Weather can be unpredictable. Check the weather and advise your guests to dress appropriately as the Greek Theatre is not covered and does not have shade in the guest seating area.

Parking
General parking will be available in the Foothill Lot (on Cyclotron Road, east of Highland Avenue) and the 2nd floor of Lower Hearst Structure (at the corner of Hearst Ave and Gayley Rd). The cost will be $11.00 (credit card only, no cash or Apple Pay/Google Pay).*Please visit the commencement website for more information.
* Please note that these prices are subject to change

If you have a Spring MBA Semester “S” permit, they are valid on Commencement Day, following normal parking permit rules, e.g. in the “S” lots Underhill and Foothill after 3:30PM. Since the ceremony begins prior to 3:30, you may pay the public parking rate to cover you until 3:30PM. Please review the rules on the Parking FAQ page.

Do not park in the Berkeley Law Lot. The Stadium Parking Lot next to Bowles/Memorial Stadium is a paid public lot and generally has a higher flat event rate. Please keep in mind that construction is still happening in and around the Berkeley campus, which may affect traffic conditions on surface streets.

What’s Allowed in the Greek?
Allowed:

Small umbrellas for sun or rain
Empty metal water bottles

NOT Allowed:

Large bags or backpacks
Glass bottles or aluminum cans
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco products
Animals (except for documented service animals)
Lawn furniture (low-backed stadium seats are permitted)
Noisemakers/Airhorns/Musical Instruments
Umbrellas (small umbrellas for sun/rain protection are permitted)
Balloons (may be tied up and left at entrance)
Tripods for cameras
Coolers/Ice Chests
Signs/Banners/Flags
Rolls of toilet paper
Confetti/Glitter
Streamers
Strollers (designated stroller parking is available)
Any item that can be perceived as a weapon

Security Protocol

Graduates

Starting at 1:45 PM, students will be asked to line up and begin making their way through the metal detectors.
The stadium has two metal detectors at the south entrance. The security staff will do their best to ensure the process is as speedy as possible, but graduates should allocate additional time to enter the theater.
To help ensure the procession moves efficiently, please make sure to limit what you bring. Any purse or bag will also be searched so please plan accordingly.
Remember, the processional will start promptly at 2:00 PM.
Students have worked very hard to get to this moment, and family members and friends have traveled from afar to celebrate this important milestone. Please refrain from any action that disrupts the event or prevents the speakers from being heard. This includes shouting over speakers, speaking out of turn, blocking others’ view, and displaying banners and signs. Individuals who are disruptive will be asked to leave and may be referred to the appropriate disciplinary process.

Guests

All guests entering the Greek Theatre will be required to walk through metal detectors. All bags will be searched. Please ensure that guests arrive early enough to allow for this security step.

Livestream
The commencement ceremony will be live streamed via YouTube. The link is also posted on the Commencement website and can be shared 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.

Haas Reception
The ceremony will be followed by a reception from 4:00-5:30 PM in the Haas Courtyard. Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are not required.

Hand-Me-Gown Program
Graduates are encouraged to donate their gowns and hoods to the Class of 2026. Look for the bins with signage at the reception to deposit your gently used regalia.

This information and more details are available on our website! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

See you on Friday!

Hello,

We can’t wait to learn, reflect, and celebrate with you at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park!

WE Lead Schedule
Liability Waiver
Cohort Competition Donation Candidates
Class of 2025 Digital Yearbook
Photo Slideshow
Hotel Parking
Dress Code
Reminders

WE Lead Schedule
The WE Lead Schedule includes session descriptions!

Out of respect for the event organizers, guest speakers, and your fellow classmates, the Program Office expects all registered participants to attend and actively engage in all scheduled programming throughout the weekend.
Liability Waiver
All WE Lead participants must complete a digital Liability Waiver for off-campus events by Wednesday, May 14.

Cohort Competition Donation Candidates
The Program Office will make a small donation on behalf of the WE Lead’s cohort competition-winning team for an organization from the UC Berkeley Community. We encourage all WE Lead attendees to learn more about each of the Cohort Competition Donation Candidates before WE Lead.

Class of 2025 Digital Yearbook
To celebrate the end of your EWMBA Journey, the Program Office invites you to fill out the Class of 2025 Digital Yearbook! Add a note of gratitude, your favorite memory, or photos from your past gatherings! The Class of 2025 Digital Yearbook will be open until Monday, May 26. The completed Yearbook will be emailed to the Class of 2025 as a keepsake.

Photo Slideshow
A slideshow will be played throughout the weekend to recap your time at Haas. Submit your photos to the WE Lead 2025 Slideshow folder on Google Drive by 11:59PM PT on Thursday, May 8. Email the Program Office if you encounter any issues submitting photos.

Hotel Parking
To support our commitment to sustainability, we strongly encourage students to carpool or use ridesharing services when traveling to WE Lead. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, we can collectively lower our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future. For those who choose to drive, the program office will cover valet parking costs during your hotel stay. If you choose to drive, the Program Office will cover valet parking costs during your hotel stay.

Visit the Hotel Nia Menlo Park website for more information.

Dress Code
The dress code is smart casual on Friday, May 16th and during the day on Saturday, May 17th. For the Awards Banquet, it is Black Tie Formal.

Reminders
Complete the AI Proficiency Index using code “WELEAD25” by this Friday, May 9th. Personalized results will be delivered by EOD May 15, allowing EWMBA students to reference their data during the live session on May 17.

UC Berkeley and Haas administration expect that all students conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University’s function as an educational institution. EWMBA students serve as ambassadors of the Haas community and should behave accordingly. Violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be reported to the UC Berkeley Center for Student Conduct or the Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination (OPHD).

For effective communication accommodations (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.), contact Luisa Guzman Gomez at least 7 days in advance by Friday, May 9th.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

Please see below for important action items for Commencement 2025.

Class of 2025 Graduation Survey
Haas Commencement Ticket Request
Haas Commencement Reception
StageClip
Additional Information

Class of 2025 Graduation Survey

To streamline communications, we collect “exit” information concurrently with commencement ticket requests. This survey includes several questions from CMG BEARS that review your time at Haas and your career progression, and concludes with commencement ceremony ticket requests.

The CMG BEARS questions are crucial for two reasons:

Haas needs to gather as much career and salary data as possible to remain compliant with new standards for reporting outcomes from part-time MBA Programs across the country, which will be required for Haas to remain a top-ranked business school. This is a meaningful action you can take to enhance the Haas brand.
Haas continues to receive requests from Evening & Weekend MBA students for an Employment Report, similar to that created for the Full Time MBA program. We haven’t been able to do this to date, owing to a lack of data from the class. By completing this survey, you will help move us forward in this process – so thank you in advance!

All data collected will be entered into your profile in CMG BEARS, where it will remain confidential when used in aggregate searches by other EWMBA students.

Haas Commencement Ticket Request

The Graduation Survey is your opportunity to request tickets for the Haas Commencement Ceremony at the Greek Theater on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:00PM PST.

All guests will be required to have a paper ticket (including children and infants).
Graduates in a cap and gown will not need a ticket.
Tickets are free of charge. Request a ticket for anyone you think may attend. We would rather give you more than you need vs. not enough!
Pick up your tickets in May in the EWMBA Program Office during business hours. If you attend WE Lead, you may pick up tickets on Sunday, May 18.

Complete the Graduation Survey and Commencement Ticket Request by Friday, April 18 at 11:59PM PST.

It is essential to complete the questionnaire by this deadline, as the Program Office cannot guarantee tickets for late submissions.

Haas Commencement Reception

The Haas Commencement Ceremony at the Greek Theatre will be followed by a reception from 4:00-6:00PM PST in the Haas Courtyard. All of your guests are welcome to attend.

No tickets are needed to attend the Haas Commencement Reception, though in the survey we ask for the number of your guests to help us with planning for the event.

StageClip

We’re excited to announce our partnership with StageClip to provide you with a personalized video clip of your graduation moment. This special keepsake will feature your name, degree, and a highlight of you crossing the stage, perfect for sharing with your family and friends.

In the survey, you will be able to opt in. By opting in, you’ll receive a free personalized graduation video delivered straight to your inbox. Your clip is yours to keep and celebrate however you’d like. This is a unique way to commemorate your achievement and share the moment with those who couldn’t attend in person.

To receive your video, simply opt in. Your information will only be used to create and deliver your graduation clip

Additional Information

Confirm the name on your diploma. Your diploma will list your legal first and last name as recorded in CalCentral.
Thanks again to those who voted for the Student Speaker and the four Defining Leadership Principle Awards. The Student Speaker will be announced in this week’s Bear Necessities and the Defining Leadership Principle Awards will be announced/awarded at WE Lead on Saturday, May 17.
Don’t forget to order your cap and gown! More information about this can be found on the Haas Commencement website.
If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) to fully participate in this event, please contact Kate Tobias by April 30th. We kindly ask for at least 7 days notice before the event to allow 7-10 days for processing your request. Your timely communication is appreciated to ensure we can provide the necessary accommodations.

Thank you and we look forward to celebrating with you!

We have several updates for you on Commencement Activities! Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for the EW Student Speaker and for the Commencement Awards!

Defining Leadership Principle Awards and Student Speaker Voting
Reminders

Defining Leadership Principle Awards and Student Speaker Voting
Voting is now open for our four Defining Leadership Principal Awards and for the Commencement Student Speaker. Please complete the Commencement 2025 Voting survey by Sunday, March 30th at 11:59PM PST.

You will be voting on the following:

1. Rank your top 2 candidates for your Class of 2025 Commencement Speaker (click the link to see list of names and to read their statements).
2. Vote for the Class of 2025 Defining Leadership Principle Awards (click the link to see the list of names and to read their statements)

The class speaker will be announced at a later date and the Commencement Award winners will be announced at WE Lead in May. Please note you may only vote once on this survey, and you may not forward this link to anyone else to take.

Reminders

Check the Commencement Website and Checklist for information about the Commencement Ceremony and stay up to date with any to-do items!
Please confirm your name for the Commencement Program. The deadline to confirm your name is Sunday, March 23 at 11:59PM PST.
- Please note that name confirmations will not necessarily reflect the name printed on your diploma. For policies regarding names printed on diplomas, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s website.
Beyond Yourself Fellows – If you are interested in being recognized as a Beyond Yourself Fellow, don’t forget to submit your volunteer hours in the Service Hours Directory by Sunday, March 31 at 11:59PM PST. Please visit the Student Website for more information on the Beyond Yourself Fellow Award Criteria.
You will receive a Class of 2025 Graduation Survey in early April. You will be asked to:
- Answer questions designed to help the Career Management Group (CMG) and Admissions collect accurate statistics on the accomplishments of your class
- To make sure your name is read correctly when you walk across the stage, the ticket request survey will also ask you to write the phonetic pronunciation of your name
- Request the number of free guest tickets you need for the Commencement Ceremony
  - Graduates in regalia do not need a ticket but all guests, including infants, will need a ticket
  - There is no limit to the number of tickets you request, but we will only order a few extras so be sure to account for everyone in your order
- Indicate the number of guests you expect to have attending the Commencement Reception, which takes place at Haas after the ceremony.
  - There is no cost for either the Commencement Ceremony or the Commencement Reception, but accurate counts are needed.

If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Kate Tobias with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7 days in advance of the event.

Thank you!

Hello,

We have several updates for you on Commencement Activities!

Defining Leadership Principle Awards and Student Speaker Nominations
Confirm Your Name in the MBA Commencement Program
Keynote Speaker Announcement
2025 Graduation Survey – Ticket Info & Name Confirmation
Reminders

Defining Leadership Principle Awards, and Student Speaker Nominations
Due Sunday, March 16 at 11:59PM PST.

Defining Leadership Principle Awards:
- During the Commencement Ceremony, we will recognize exceptional students for their contributions to the program through Commencement Awards.
- Nominations are now open for the Defining Leadership Principle Award via this Google Form.
  - You will be able to submit multiple nominations by filling out the survey more than once
Commencement Student Speaker:
- This is a unique opportunity to represent the Class of 2025 and address all MBA graduates and their friends and families with a 5-minute speech
- If you are interested in serving as a student speaker, please complete the self-nomination Commencement Student Speaker form and submit the following:
  - REQUIRED: 1 to 2 paragraphs (Max: 1300 characters) explaining why you would like to be a commencement speaker and the content of your speech
  - OPTIONAL: link to YouTube videos (under 3 minutes) will also be accepted with your statement as a sample of your speaking.
Voting will take place the week of March 17, and will close on March 30 at 11:59PM PST.

Confirm Your Name in the MBA Commencement Program
The commencement program is distributed to attendees during the ceremony, serving as a guide and keepsake for the event. It will have details about the order of events, speakers, award presentations, and will list all graduating students.

Please fill out EW Program Name form by March 23rd at 11:59PM PST to confirm how you want your name represented in the Commencement program. This form will contain how it is currently set to be printed as well as a space to type in your full name exactly as you would like it to appear on the program

If you do not fill out this form by the deadline, we will use the preferred first & last name that is on your student record in CalCentral.

Keynote Speaker Announcement: Manish Chandra

This year’s Commencement speaker is Manish Chandra, the founder and CEO of Poshmark, where he also serves on the company’s board of directors. As CEO, Chandra is responsible for guiding the vision, strategy, and growth of the company.

Chandra applied more than 20 years of experience building and scaling companies to create Poshmark, a social marketplace that combines the human connection of physical shopping with the scale, reach, ease, and selection benefits of ecommerce.

Prior to founding Poshmark in 2011, Chandra co-founded and served as CEO of Kaboodle, an online shopping website. Kaboodle was acquired by Hearst Communications in August 2007. Before Kaboodle, Chandra held executive positions at Versant, Versata (IPO 2000, acquired by Trilogy), and Sybase (IPO 1991, acquired by SAP).

In addition to his MBA from Haas, Chandra holds an MS in computer science from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.

2025 Graduation Survey – Ticket Info & Name Confirmation
You will receive a Class of 2025 Graduation Survey in early April. You will be asked to:

1) Answer questions designed to help the Career Management Group (CMG) and Admissions collect accurate statistics on the accomplishments of your class.
2) To make sure your name is read correctly when you walk across the stage, the ticket request survey will also ask you to write the phonetic pronunciation of your name.
3) Indicate the number of guests you expect to have attending the Commencement Ceremony.
a) Graduates in regalia do not need a ticket but all guests, including infants, will need a ticket.
b) There is no limit to the number of tickets you request, but we will only order a few extras so be sure to account for everyone in your order.
4) Indicate the number of guests you expect to have attending the Commencement Reception, which takes place at Haas after the ceremony.

There is no cost for either the Commencement Ceremony or the Commencement Reception, but accurate counts are needed.

Reminders

Beyond Yourself Fellows – If you are interested in being recognized as a Beyond Yourself Fellow, don’t forget to submit your volunteer hours in the Service Hours Directory by March 30 at 11:59PM PST. Please review the Student Website for more information.
Cheit Teaching Awards – Your VPs of Academics will be reaching out regarding the Cheit Award nomination process for faculty. Make sure to participate to nominate your favorite professors.
Check the Commencement Website and Graduation Checklist for information about the Commencement Ceremony and stay up to date with any to-do items.
If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) to fully participate in this event, please contact Luisa Guzman Gomez by April 30th. We kindly ask for at least 7 days notice before the event to allow 7-10 days for processing your request. Your timely communication is appreciated to ensure we can provide the necessary accommodations
Pay close attention to deadlines mentioned in future Commencement emails!

We look forward to celebrating with you!

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Commencement 25 – Email Archive

Bear Necessities

Program Office Emails

Commencement 25 – Email Archive

Bear Necessities

Bear Necessities Archive

Program Office Emails

5/19/25:

5/5/25 - "[EWMBA] WE Lead 2025 Updates"

4/23/25 - "[EWMBA] Commencement 2025 Ticket Pickup Instructions"

4/1/25 - "[EWMBA] Action Required: Commencement 2025 Ticket Questionnaire"

3/21/25 - "[EWMBA] Hand-Me-Gown 2025 Lottery"

3/18/25 - "[EWMBA] Voting for Commencement Recognitions - Defining Leadership Principal Awards and Student Commencement Speaker"

3/3/25 - "[EWMBA] Nominations for Commencement Recognitions - Defining Leadership Principal Awards and Student Commencement Speaker"