Berkeley Physics 2025 Commencement will take place on Monday, May 19
We look forward to celebrating graduating students during Physics Commencement!
We are welcoming the following graduating classes to celebrate with us this spring: Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025 & Fall 2025.
Please reference this fact sheet on the Physics Commencement Ceremony as you make plans for the Spring 2025 celebrations:
When: Monday, May 19, 2025 Beginning at 7:00 pm The ceremony will last around 2 hours
Where: Zellerbach Auditorium 101 Zellerbach Hall
How to Get Tickets
Each student will receive up to four free tickets and will be able to purchase up to eight additional tickets for $10 each (for a total of twelve guest tickets maximum per student). Please note that students themselves will not need a ticket for the event.
The first four free complimentary tickets can be picked up from our Student Services office locations (timeframes and locations will be shared during mid-April). Additional tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, and at the Ticket Office window at Zellerbach Hall. We will let you know once they go on sale at Cal Performances Ticket Office.
Step 1: Please complete the RSVP and Information Survey before the end of day, Friday, April 4th. Once we finalize the RSVP numbers, we will share important details on how to collect your tickets and sign up for graduation pictures during the week of April 14th.
Step 2: Undergrads only: complete the exit interview survey (to be sent out directly to students in mid-April) before you come to pick up your free tickets. We will be checking your completion of the form when you come to retrieve tickets.
We have designated times and locations for you to pick up your tickets during RRR Week (this information will be sent out to graduating students). Only graduating students will be able to pick up their own tickets. Please do not come to retrieve your tickets outside of the timeframes/locations shared.
Step 3: When you come to pick up your free tickets, you will also receive your Physics @ Berkeley socks, and you will complete a card with information for our photography service, GradImages. There may be a line for ticket pickup, so please plan ahead.
Step 4: For additional tickets, we will let you know once they go on sale at Cal Performances Ticket Office. Ensure that you bring your tickets to commencement (or distribute them to your guests before commencement). Guests without tickets will not be able to enter the event. Please note that all advance tickets, regardless of purchase method, will be delivered via email to the purchaser’s email address a week before the event. You may print tickets out or show them on their mobile device for admittance. On the day of the commencement, the box office at the event venue will be open starting one hour before the ceremony and will remain open for one hour after the published start time.
On The Day of The Ceremony
Graduates: all graduates participating in the ceremony must arrive at Lower Sproul Plaza (immediately outside Zellerbach Auditorium) at 6:00pm, and no later than 6:15pm. Arriving later may prevent graduates from participating in the ceremony. You will check in and collect your name card before lining up. Look for signs indicating Bachelors, Master’s, or Ph.D. and get into the appropriate line. Staff marshals will be present to assist you.
Guests: doors will open for guest seating at 6:15pm.
Graduation Regalia
The ceremony begins with a formal procession of faculty and students. Students are encouraged and welcome to wear regalia (cap and gown), but this is not a requirement. Tassels: All candidates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap and will turn their tassel to the left when their degree level has been conferred. The cap is worn with the long point of the shell to the rear.
Undergraduate Regalia
To rent graduation regalia, and to purchase stoles, diploma frames etc., please visit the Graduation Department of the Cal Student Store (located on Sproul Plaza).
Graduate Regalia
To rent graduation regalia, and to purchase stoles, diploma frames etc., please visit the Graduation Department of the Cal Student Store (located on Sproul Plaza).
Hood: The size and shape of the hood signify the level of the degree. Master’s degree candidates: Wear your hood to the ceremony. Place the hood around your neck and shoulders so that the major portion hangs down the back. The velvet border should be on the outside. The black base of the hood, around the velvet, should be smoothed into place as it is positioned over the shoulders and down the back. Fasten the cord in front of the hood to your shirt, dress or gown to keep the hood away from your neck. To expose the satin lining, turn the velvet border outside below your shoulders at the back of your gown. The cord will keep the hood from falling off your shoulders.
Doctoral degree candidates: Bring your hood to the ceremony and give it to your adviser/hooder before the ceremony; you will be hooded by your adviser during the ceremony.
Hood color: The color of the satin lining reflects the University’s official colors. The title of the degree to be awarded (not the subject studied) governs the color of the velvet border.
**Your Diploma
Diplomas will be mailed to your Cal Central "Diploma Mailing Address" approximately 4 months after the end of your graduation term. See here for instructions on updating your diploma mailing address. Once your diploma has been prepared, you will receive it in the mail free of charge.
Undergraduates needing proof of graduation prior to receiving their diploma can find information on options for degree verification on the Office of the Registrar's website.
Graduate students needing a degree verification or certificate of completion can request one from the Graduate Division. If accepted, the Graduate Office can also provide a letter on department letterhead confirming degree completion.
Photographer
GradImages professional photographers will be taking pictures of graduates at our commencement this year. Pictures should be available to view, share, and order online within a week following the ceremony.
Flowers
Guests wishing to buy flowers for their graduates will be able to do so before the ceremony in front of Zellerbach Auditorium.
Transportation
Parking
Parking instructions to come.
Special Seating and Other Accommodations for Guests
To request special guest accommodations, please email Nitin Srivastava at nitin.srivastava@berkeley.edu by as soon as possible (final date TBD).
Zellerbach Auditorium has accessible and wheelchair accessible seating available on a first come first served basis. We will have a designated volunteer at the event to help guide guests looking for accessible seats. Please feel free to ask any volunteers at the Commencement event.
If you would like more information about campus accessibility and physical access features, please go to dac.berkeley.edu.
The University-wide Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:30 am at California Memorial Stadium. Details will be updated on the University Commencement website.