Commencement 2025

The 2025 College of Environmental Design Commencement takes place on May 20 at the Greek Theatre. It is always a joyful event, a time for us to honor our graduates and celebrate their achievements in the company of family and friends.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 9 a.m.

Guests should plan to arrive at 8 a.m., graduates at 7:45 a.m.

Hearst Greek Theatre, 2001 Gayley Road, Berkeley, CA 94720

We recommend guests arrive at 8 a.m. to allow time to enter the theater and find seats. The Greek Theatre is an outdoor venue, ceremonies take place rain or shine. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing a sunhat. UMBRELLAS ARE NOT PERMITTED. Most seating is on stone bleachers, so you may want to bring cushions or low-backed stadium seats (lawn chairs not permitted).

All guests require a ticket to attend CED Commencement Your graduate receives two complimentary tickets and additional tickets may be purchased from Cal Performances, online, by phone at 510.642.9988, or in person at the Zellerbach Hall box office.

Parking is extremely limited in Berkeley, especially during commencement season. We recommend that you take public transit if at all possible. For information on parking, see Berkeley’s Public Parking for Department Graduations page.

If you require accommodations, please contact Event Manager Grace Moon at least 10 days prior to the event.

In order for everyone to enjoy the ceremony and be able to celebrate their graduates, we ask that you not bring large signs, banners, or balloons that can block the view of the stage or noise-making devices (air horns, whistles, etc.) that can drown out the reading of names. Please note: confetti bombs and cannons are strictly prohibited at the Greek Theatre.

All bags are subject to search; please note that all attendees will enter through metal detectors.

Graduates should plan to arrive at the Greek Theatre for the ceremony by 7:45 a.m. Important: You must have your Tassel QR code / phone in order for your name to be called. This is the “stage pass” that will be sent you closer to the ceremony date.

In order to participate in the commencement ceremony, graduates must:
1. Complete the exit survey. Graduates will receive a link to the exit survey via email, from Undergraduate Advising (for undergraduates) or from the Dean’s Office (for graduate students). This survey is anonymous: answers will not be connected to registration.
2. Register for commencement. After completing the exit survey, you will be directed to the Tassel website to register.

The deadline to register to participate in commencement is Friday, May 9. The deadline to pick up your complimentary tickets is Wednesday, May 14.

If you are a graduating CED student and did not receive the exit survey via email, please contact Events Specialist Grace Moon.

Graduates who have registered for commencement may reserve two complimentary tickets to the ceremony for guests; graduates do not need a ticket for themselves.

Registered students only may pick up their complimentary tickets from 117 Bauer Wurster Hall, Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., beginning on Tuesday, April 8. The last day to pick up your two complimentary tickets is Wednesday, May 14.

Additional guest tickets may be purchased directly from Cal Performances at the cost of $15 each.The number of tickets that can be purchased is unlimited until sold out.

Purchase tickets online, by phone at 510.642.9988, or in person at the Zellerbach Hall box office. All online orders will be delivered by email only. Box office hours are Tuesdays–Fridays, 12–5:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 p.m.

Graduates are not required to wear the traditional graduation regalia, although most of our students choose to do so. You can rent or buy your cap and gown, along with other regalia items such as honor cords, stoles, etc., from the Cal Student Store.