Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science, UC Berkeley

Directions

• Directions to the campus(external link)
• Campus Map(external link)

Parking

For commencement parking information, please visit the UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Special Event Parking Website(external link). Check website for updates.

Weather

Rain or shine, the show must go on! There will be too many of us to go anywhere else, so whatever the weather, head for the Greek Theatre(external link)! Please keep in mind that the Greek Theatre is an outdoor amphitheatre with little to no shade. Mornings may be cold in Berkeley, but the weather may significantly warm up by the end of the ceremony. We suggest that you wear layered clothing and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, plenty of water and, if rain is forecast, an umbrella.

• Weather Forecast for Berkeley(external link)

General Information

Area hotels fill up in May. If you have family or friends coming to your ceremony from out of town, suggest that they make reservations immediately. For information about local accommodations, restaurants, and things to do in Berkeley, refer to the Berkeley Convention and Visitors Bureau(external link) and the UCB Visitors Center(external link).

Disability Accommodations

If you or any of your guests have a hearing loss that will require a sign language interpreter or real-time captioner, please email the department at polisci_commencement@lists.berkeley.edu by Monday, April 16. Advance notice is required to ensure the best possible arrangements.

Guests using wheelchairs or who need to limit stair use should contact polisci_commencement@lists.berkeley.edu by Friday, May 4 to inquire about seating arrangements. Reserved seating is available for guests in wheelchairs and guests who need to limit stairs. Due to space constraints, seating in the reserved area is limited to one companion for each disabled guest.

Graduating students who use a wheelchair or expect to be using crutches or a cane on Commencement Day should contact Suzanne or Efrat in 296 Barrows (or email psadvise@berkeley.edu to arrange seating and plan access to and from the stage.

We recommend that guests reserving space in either the wheelchair section or accessible section arrive when the gates open at 8:00AM, in order to be seated before the crowds arrive. The department will reply to those requesting reserved space with an entrance ticket. Please bring this ticket with you to confirm your space in the reserved section.

Drivers with disabled placards or license plates may park in the Bowles Lot(external link) ($10 fee) or in any disabled-designated campus space. The entrance to the Bowles Lot is on Stadium Rim Way, just around the corner from Gayley Road, immediately south of the Greek Theatre. Reservations are not required. There may be limited parking in the Bowles lot and some of it is uphill and the pavement is uneven, so arrive early for the most accessible spaces.

For additional information about accessible parking, please visit the Parking and Transportation website(external link).

Traffic is likely to be heavy around the campus and parking may be difficult, so be sure to allow plenty of time to get there.