The Commencement Convocation is the only University-wide event where graduating seniors from all academic disciplines are given a time to come together to celebrate their achievements at UC Berkeley. No names are called and diplomas are not distributed at this event. Departmental Graduations are the official degree-conferring events.
You don’t receive your official diploma at Commencement. After four months (approximately, September 2007), you can pick up your diploma in person at 120 Sproul Hall or you can have it mailed to you for $12. Diploma mailing cards are available at the Registrar’s Office, 120 Sproul Hall, 643-7490.
At Commencement Convocation, seniors will process into the Greek Theater to open the event. Unfortunately, your name will not be called at the University-wide Commencement Convocation, since there are more than 8,000 graduating seniors. Your name will be called, however, at your individual department graduation(s).
If you would like to take part in the Senior Procession, you should wear your gown (cap optional).
The Cal Student Store (642-7028) sells all the necessary graduation accessories, including caps, gowns, announcements, diploma frames, and mementos. They also sell complete "Grad Packs" that enable you to purchase all your graduation necessities together to receive extra savings. Check out more graduation items.
The Commencement Convocation is scheduled for May 9, 2007, 4 p.m. at the William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre. Each senior can have six (6) tickets (including your own). You can reserve tickets when you RSVP for the senior procession.
Students can pick up tickets at the Grad Fair (taking place at the end of April) outside the Cal Student Store (1st floor level, Bancroft Way side). All students must bring a Cal Student ID and a printed copy of their RSVP confirmation.
Additional tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Zellerbach ticket office (please call for ticket office availability at 642-9988) and at the Greek Theater Will Call on May 9, beginning at 3 p.m.
Consult your department for tickets to your department ceremonies. You will need to register with them to be able to participate in your department graduation(s).
The Senior Class Gift Campaign is a long-standing tradition where seniors join together to celebrate our graduation by leaving a legacy at Cal. The Class of 2007 aims to set a new class record (beating the Class of ’06!), by raising $60,000 from over 1,800 seniors. All gifts will be matched $ for $ by a Cal alum, so if every senior gives just $26 in 2007, we will raise over $260,000! You can choose to support one of three Class of ’06 projects: The Cal Fund, Solar Panel Installation, and our own Class of ’06 Scholarship Fund. Every senior that gives will be recognized at our Commencement and online Honor Roll and receive an invitation to the “Thank You!” Reception at the Chancellor’s House.
This year’vs Senior Week celebration is scheduled to take place on April 23 through April 27. A variety of activities are planned, and tickets must be purchased for some events. Visit the California Alumni Association’vs Web site for up-to-date information regarding Senior Week.
Grad Fair is a free resource festival held over three days in April outside the Cal Student Store (1st floor, Bancroft Way entrance). Tickets for Commencement Convocation can be reserved and can be picked up at the Grad Fair. Cal Student Store Grad Packs — which include cap, gown, and announcements — will be on sale as well. There will be free snacks, drinks, give-aways, and a host of campus and private company vendors present, including Coke, Jostens, Kaplan, Cal Athletics, and the Cal Career Center. Grad Fair is co-sponsored by the California Alumni Association, Cal Student Store, and the Californians Class of 2007. Find out more about Grad Fair.
Order your sweatshirt online. Online sweatshirt sales will begin the second week of March. Sweatshirts purchased online are processed weekly. Orders made by Sunday evening at 5pm, will be available for pickup the following Wednesday at the Graduation Department Counter, Cal Student Store, Level 1. A printed receipt and Cal Student ID are required for pickup during regular Cal Student Store business hours.
The Senior Class Council sells Class of 2007 Sweatshirts & T-Shirts every Wednesday and Thursday on Sproul Plaza between 11am and 2pm beginning February 28, 2007.
Get a monthly “Senior News & Clues” e-newsletter that gives you information on deadlines, cap and gown, graduation announcements, class rings, Commencement Convocation, Senior Week, senior portraits, Senior Class Gift, and everything you need to know to be prepared!
Keep up with the monthly “Senior News and Clues” by e-mailing majordomo@berkeley.edu and put “subscribe calseniors2007” in the body. It has come to our attention that some seniors are having a difficult time subscribing to the newsletter. If you are having a hard time, just e-mail calseniors@gmail.com with “subscribe calseniors2007” in the body, and you will be added manually.
This is the official yearbook at Cal. The Blue and Gold Yearbook covers events, issues, and trends on the Berkeley campus during a given year. It also includes campus facts, figures and people, including a section for portraits of intended graduates, and sections for clubs and organizations, athletics, academics and research, and Greek life. There are limited copies, so reserve yours.
To check whether you are on the degree list, log on to Bear Facts or call Info-BEARS at 642-9400. If there is no indication that you are on the degree list, and you are planning to graduate at the end of the current semester, inquire at the Office of the Registrar, 120 Sproul Hall.
To make sure you’ve fulfilled all of your major/department, college/school, American Cultures, and University requirements (i.e., Subject A), request a degree check on Bear Facts. Find out more about degree checks.
Get your portraits in the Blue & Gold yearbook. Portraits also make excellent keepsakes, gifts for your family, and application photos. For the latest information, browse the Blue & Gold Senior Portraits page or call (510) 642-8247.
