The Spring 2023 Economics Commencement Ceremony was held on Monday, May 15 at 2pm at the Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley. Thank you for attending! Please find the electronic program for the ceremony here:
Spring 2023 Economics Commencement Program
Economics 2023 Commencement registration is open.
The deadline to sign up to participate in commencement is Monday, May 1, 2023.
All graduating students are being asked to fill out either the undergraduate student or graduate student exit survey, as part of the commencement registration process. Your perspective on the complex issues of undergraduate and graduate education will greatly assist us in our efforts to improve and enhance our programs. Your feedback will help the Department identify issues and serve as a basis for strategic planning and programmatic changes. Your participation is very important in ensuring that the results are representative of all of our students. By clicking below, you will proceed to the exit survey; once completed, you will then proceed to the commencement registration page. Thank you!
Undergraduate Students, please click HERE to Register for Commencement
Graduate Students, please click here to Register for Commencement
Additional 2023 Commencement Information
- COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
- STUDENT PARTICIPATION
- LIVE STREAM
- CAPS & GOWNS
- HONOR CORDS & NAME CARDS
- ARRIVAL AT THE GREEK THEATRE
- SECURITY PROCEDURES AT GREEK THEATRE
- TICKETS
- PROHIBITED ITEMS AT GREEK THEATRE
- PARKING
- ACCESSIBILITY
- PICTURES
- DIPLOMAS
- FLOWERS
- LODGING
- CAL GRAD GUIDE FROM CAA
- SUPPORT BERKELEY ECONOMICS
The speaker for the Spring 2023 Economics Commencement Ceremony is Lisa Cook.
Lisa D. Cook took office as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on May 23, 2022. She is the first African American woman and first woman of color to sit on the Board. Prior to her appointment to the Board, Dr. Cook was a professor of economics and international relations at Michigan State University. She was also a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Dr. Cook was on the faculty of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. During her time at Harvard, Dr. Cook also served as deputy director for Africa Research at the Center for International Development. Before then, she was a National Fellow at Stanford University. From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Cook served as a senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama. From 2000 to 2001, she served as a senior adviser on finance and development in the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of International Affairs.
Dr. Cook received a BA in philosophy from Spelman College. As a Marshall Scholar, she received a second BA in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University. She earned a PhD in economics from the University of California, Berkeley.
Economics students who have (or will be) completing all coursework in Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023, or Fall 2023 are invited to participate in the Economics Commencement ceremony. We are not able to accommodate graduates from prior years (pre-Fall 2022) or future classes (post-Fall 2023). For students who have questions on commencement participation, please email ugrad@econ.berkeley.edu.
Find more information on graduation requirements on the College of Letters & Science Graduation page here.
Commencement will be live streamed. Please click this link on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 2pm PST to watch live.
Caps and gowns will be 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.
Honor cords will be available for students who completed (or have in progress) Econ H195B (Economics Honors Thesis). We will announce the days and hours available to pick up soon.
Economics students participating in the commencement ceremony must also pick-up their name card at 530 Evans Hall. We will announce the days and hours available to pick up soon. Graduates are REQUIRED to bring their name card for entrance into the Greek Theater.
The Greek Theatre will open for graduates and guests to enter an hour before the ceremony. Graduates and guests are STRONGLY encouraged to arrive early due to commencement day traffic and increased security clearance procedures.
Additionally, if guests require special seating, please have them arrive at the Greek Theatre no later than 1:00 pm so they can be assisted before crowds arrive.
The ceremony will last approximately 3 hours.
There will be no reception following the ceremony.
The Greek Theatre is open to the elements and graduates 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
All attendees 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 2pm 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!
Participating graduates are not required to purchase a ticket for the commencement ceremony, and must bring their name card for entrance.
All guests (all ages) must have a ticket to be admitted into the ceremony. Complimentary tickets for children ages 2 and younger will be available. There is no limit to the number of tickets students or guests may purchase. Tickets will be available for purchase online, by phone, or in person at the Zellerbach Hall Ticket Office beginning April 3rd. Tickets prices are $10. Note: the Zellerbach Hall Ticket Office is closed on Mondays.
Tickets will also be available for purchase the day of the ceremony at the Greek Theatre Box Office. The box office will be open from 1:00pm- 2:30pm on the day of the ceremony. Tickets can be bought with either cash or check. Checks should be made payable to "The UC Regents." Please ensure the appropriate number of tickets are purchased, as refunds cannot be processed.
All seating at the Greek Theatre is general admission and is first-come, first-served for guests who are already present (saving seats is not permitted). Guests are also welcome to sit on the grassy hillside above the concrete bleacher seating (note: the steps to the hillside are steep and may not be as accessible for some guests).
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 inside)
- SKATEBOARDS / BICYCLES / SCOOTERS
- MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
- FIREWORKS
- NOISE-MAKERS / AIRHORNS
- ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER
- BALLOONS (may be tied-off at the entrance gates at own discretion)
- 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.
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.
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 the Economics Department does not manage any event parking.
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. 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.
If attendees require accommodation 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 Ashley Vera, at ashleyvera@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible.
Live Closed Captions are provided for this event by a Real-Time Captioner. To view the captions, a URL is accessible through the QR Code.
Font size, style, color, and background color can be personally customized from the options at the top of the URL window. Once the event begins, the captions will appear within the window.
To view a transcript after the event, please keep the window open and click on “Transcript” at the top of the screen. Copy and paste the transcript in your preferred word processor.
A professional photographer from GradImages 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. The Economics ceremony is not professionally videotaped and no taped ceremony will be available for purchase.
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.
The Commencement Group will be the flower vendor at the Greek. They have bouquets and leis for pre-sale plus teddy bears, etc on site.
Families can pre-order flowers here: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/uc-berkeley/ and pick the order up when they arrive at the Greek Theatre.
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 contact Berkeley Visitors Services.
Congratulations from the Department of Economics!
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