This is a living page and will continually be edited, addressing the common questions new students have about WE Launch. If you have a question that’s not addressed on these pages, please reach out to Avni Kansara ([email protected]).
Please also check out the New Admit Tools & Resources page and General Student FAQ for information about topics like bConnected, CalNet ID, Billing & Payment, and more!
Schedule
WE Launch will have both virtual and in-person components with events spanning from July 19th until July 25th.
Review the schedule for the entire WE Launch event (Jul 19 – Jul 25).
The WE Launch Weekend is packed with engaging and informative experiences that will prepare you for your journey in the EW Program. While we are sad you will not be able to join us in person, most sessions will be livestreamed and/or hybrid.
These sessions will take place either in Zoom or in the virtual platform, OhYay! and will allow you to connect and bond with some of the other classmates that are not attending in person as well. Attached to this email is the schedule of the sessions that you will be available virtually:
In a few days, you will receive additional information on how to register and access the virtual links for the sessions.
As a reminder, participation in all the virtual activities during WE Launch weekend, beginning with the Teams@Haas session on Friday, July 23 are mandatory.
Please keep an eye on the Bear Necessities newsletter (sent every Thursday) and the WE Launch Website for more logistical information.
We look forward to meeting you all in person!
The in-person WE Launch Weekend will begin with check in at 5PM on Friday July 23rd, 2021.
Please note, there is a REQUIRED virtual session titled Teams@Haaas on Friday July 23 at 12 Noon that will last until 2PM where you will get a chance to meet and work with your study teams. We have given enough time to finish that session and arrive for check in. If you are flying in and are arriving early, please email [email protected] and we can provide you with options for a quiet place to join us via zoom.
According to our schedule, we anticipate the in-person WE Launch Weekend to conclude on Sunday July 25th at 2PM.
The weekend includes activities that both set the tone for your academic experience and allow you to form strong bonds with your cohort and the entire Class of 2024. Students who choose to attend in person are required to attend all scheduled events in person.
If you are unable to attend WE Launch in person, you are required to participate in all livestreamed sessions. You cannot choose to attend some events in person and some events remotely. You must either attend all scheduled events in person or attend all livestreamed events remotely. This is consistent with our longstanding policy on attending all of WE Launch being an absolute requirement to commence the EWMBA program If you need to update your RSVP, please submit another one here.
Two WE Launch sessions require pre-work including the Awareness & Skills for Inclusive Leadership session on Monday July 19 and the Case Study Method workshop on Saturday July 24. The pre-work will be hosted on our learning management system, bCourses. You can find the bcourse site here.
We sent emails to confirm your RSVP on 7/12/21. Please reference our email archives here.
Hotel
The EW Program has partnered with the DoubleTree Hotel at the Berkeley Marina and have arranged for single occupancy rooms for our EW students at no cost to you.
The hotel is following strict COVID-19 protocols for all their guests safety.
Staying at the hotel will give you opportunities to continue bonding with your classmates even after the official programming concludes.
You will be able to check in to the hotel on Friday July 23rd at 5PM. We will communicate with you as we get closer to the event with more information about the check-in process.
Early check-in is not available at the time. Please reach out to [email protected] if you need special accommodations.
Students will check out of the hotel on Sunday July 25th prior to the start of programming at Haas.
Logistics
We will provide you all meals during the duration of the WE Launch weekend. Our catering staff will follow COVID-19 protocols when serving food.
Please make sure to update your Student Preferences via the admissions portal to indicate any dietary restrictions.
We are excited to provide you with Berkeley Haas branded swag during the WE Launch weekend, including a Class of 2024 Berkeley Haas t-shirt!
If you are not attending in person, stop by the EWMBA Program Office when school begins to pick it up.
Friday July 23rd: Business casual
Saturday July 24th: Casual and comfortable attire. We recommend you bring layers as the temperature can shift throughout the day.
Sunday July 25th: Casual and comfortable attire. Make sure to wear the Class of 2024 Berkeley Haas t-shirt and comfortable shoes!
We will be handing out Cal 1 Cards during WE Launch weekend for students who have submitted an approved photo by July 13th.
Please bring government issued ID in order to receive it, e.g. driver’s license, passport, ID card, etc.
If you are not attending WE Launch in person, stop by the EWMBA Program Office when you are on campus to pick it up!
Important clarification:
The CalCentral due date for online photo submission is standardized to be “Matriculation + 7 days” for all graduate students and is intended to be the first prompt you receive to complete that step. Accordingly, the deadline will be different for students that have different / delayed matriculations.
Our internal deadline of July 13th is the correct deadline for you as a Haas EWMBA student.
Transportation
If you are arriving early on Friday morning, the Quarter Deck conference room will be available at the DoubleTree starting at 10AM.
On Sunday, we will have a luggage room available at Haas. Staff and volunteers will direct you when you arrive at Haas. It will be on the Courtyard Level in Cheit C250.
Updated 7/16/2021
Friday July 23rd
Please come directly to the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina on Friday July 23rd. Enter into the self-parking area of the hotel. Parking at the hotel will be included and you will use your hotel key card should you need to go in and out during your stay.
Saturday July 24th
A shuttle to take you from DoubleTree to Haas at 8AM. At the end of the day, the shuttle from Haas to the DoubleTree will depart around 9PM.
Sunday July 25th
Check out of the hotel prior to the first session at Haas. Use your room key to get out of the self-parking lot and drive to the designated parking lot, Underhill Lot (at Haste and College).
All students should enter the lot via the Haste Street/Level 2 entrance (Haste is a one way street). The Channing Street/Level 1 entrance is closed. Please take any laptops or valuables with you. It is a 10 minute walk from Underhill to Haas.
The parking instructions for the day will depend on the transportation preference listed in the Student Preferences Form. Please review the WE Launch bCourses Parking & Transportation Module for specific instructions.
Friday July 23rd
Please come directly to the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina on Friday July 23rd. Enter into the self-parking area of the hotel. When you check in for WE Launch on Friday at 5PM, we will provide you a parking voucher to use when leaving the hotel.
Saturday July 24th & Sunday July 25th
You will be parking at UC Berkeley at Underhill Lot (at Haste and College). All students should enter the lot via the Haste Street/Level 2 entrance (Haste is a one way street). The Channing Street/Level 1 entrance is closed. Please take any laptops or valuables with you. It is a 10 minute walk from Underhill to Haas.
The code to use for the day is listed in the WE Launch bCourses Parking & Transportation Module “Driving + Not Staying at the Hotel…” Locate the pay station terminal at the Haste Street entrance. Enter the parking code and your license plate number to complete the transaction. To get to Haas, exit onto Haste, turn left (uphill) then left onto College Ave.
There will be shuttles available to take students between the DoubleTree Berkeley Marina on Saturday July 24th.
After students check out on July 25th, you will need to drive or carpool with your fellow classmates to campus (~ 15 min drive).