Blum Center for Developing Economies

Facilities

On April 23, 2009, 18 months after former Vice President Al Gore broke ground at the historic Naval Architecture Building on the north side of campus, former Secretary of State George P. Shultz opened Richard C. Blum Hall—a 22,000-square-foot contemporary and Craftsman-style wood, concrete, and glass complex that serves as the Blum Center’s headquarters. Previously, the Center’s operations and project teams were scattered across campus. Today, they are consolidated in a collaborative workspace designed for student and faculty innovators and their partners from across the world.

Room Rentals

A spacious, well-lit conference room or classroom equipped for presentations and collaborative work. The room features multiple tables and chairs on wheels, arranged to facilitate group interactions. A large projection screen at the front displays a video of a speaker, suggesting the room is set up for a presentation or lecture. The walls have high windows that allow natural light to flood the space, creating an open and inviting atmosphere. A person stands near the back of the room, emphasizing the room's size and flexibility for various configurations. The polished concrete floor adds to the modern and clean aesthetic of the room.

B100

Plaza Level
$ 800 0-4 hr./day
  • $1,200 full day
  • $125/hr additional beyond 8am-5pm
  • Max capacity: 90 people
  • Modular seating
  • AV system ($400 half day, $600 full day)
Room B100 A/B: A well-equipped, modern conference room featuring multiple tables arranged for group collaboration. The room includes several flat-screen monitors mounted on the walls, along with whiteboards for presentations and brainstorming sessions. Chairs on wheels are positioned around the tables for easy movement. The room is brightly lit with natural light coming through the windows.

B100 A/B

Plaza Level
$ 550 0-4 hr./day
  • $800 full day
  • Max capacity: 20 people
  • Modular seating
  • Modular table
A modern, open-plan workspace with high tables and stools. The stools have red seats and white frames, matching the high tables on wheels. Blue and gold star-shaped balloons hang from the ceiling. Large windows along one wall let in soft, diffused light through blinds. In the background, there are more tables, chairs, and whiteboards.

B110

Plaza Level
$ 650 0-4 hr./day
  • $1,000 full day
  • Max capacity: 60 people
  • Modular seating
A modern conference room with a large wooden table surrounded by black leather chairs on wheels. The room is bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of green trees outside. The high ceiling and ample natural light. At the far end of the room, there is a large screen.

Board Room

Second Floor Blum West
$ 600 0-4 hr./day
  • $950 full day
  • Max capacity: 25 people
An open and versatile workspace filled with natural light from the large windows along one side of the room. The space features several large wooden tables on white metal frames with wheels, paired with gray metal stools. On the left side, there are comfortable seating options, including a blue and yellow patterned couch. Large screens are positioned for presentations or virtual meetings.

CoLab - All Rooms

1st Floor Blum Hall East
$ 750 0-4 hr./day
  • $1100 full day
  • Main Room + B120B (Large Conference Room) + B120C (Small conference rooms)
  • Max capacity: 60 + 10 + 4 people
  • Modular seating
  • Zoom Enabled
CoLab - Main: A well-lit workspace featuring several large wooden tables on white metal frames with wheels. Each table is paired with gray metal stools, providing seating for multiple users. The room has large windows that allow ample natural light. In the background, a large screen displays content related to Berkeley.

CoLab- Main Room

1st Floor Blum Hall East
$ 550 0-4 hr./day
  • $800 full day
  • Max capacity: 60 people
  • Modular seating
  • Modular table
  • Mobile Zoom Enabled
  • Amplified Sound
CoLab - B120B: A modern conference room with a long wooden table surrounded by black office chairs. The room features large windows with frosted glass, allowing natural light to fill the space. On the table, there is a bottle of hand sanitizer and a tablet device. The walls are adorned with a large world map and a framed certificate.

CoLab - B120B

1st Floor Blum Hall East
$ 350 0-4 hr./day
  • $600 full day
  • Large Conference Room
  • Max capacity: 10 people
  • Modular seating
  • Zoom Enabled
CoLab - B120C: A small meeting room with wooden floors, featuring a round wooden table and three office chairs. The room has large windows with frosted glass providing natural light.

CoLab - B120C

1st Floor Blum Hall East
$ 250 0-4 hr./day
  • $400 full day
  • Small Conference Room
  • Max capacity: 4 people
  • Modular seating
  • Display Screen

330

3rd floor Blum East
$ 750 1-4 hr./day
  • $1,100 full day
  • $65/hr additional beyond 8am-5pm
  • Max capacity: 40 people
  • Modular seating
  • AV system ($400 half day, $600 full day)

Inquire About a Room

To reserve a room or inquire about availability, please email blumcenter@berkeley.edu with the following information to request a room:

  1. Your name and name of your organization.
  2. Date (eg. 9/15-9/16) and times (eg. 9am-4pm) requested.
  3. Room requested (eg. B100).
  4. Your email and phone number.
  5. Your organization website (optional)

We will endeavor to reply to your request within 5 business days. If your request is urgent, please call the Blum Center Director of Operations at 510-643-5316. Please also take the time to review our rental policies and facility guidelines above.

Important Note: The Blum Center does not provide AV support, room setup, catering, or any other event services. These are fully the responsibility of your event planner. It is in your interest to visit the room prior to the event to plan logistics and to understand what you will need on the day of your event.

A/V

The Blum Center does not provide A/V support or staffing during events.  All A/V equipment rental requests must be made at the time of the reservation.  The per day A/V rates are as follows:

Microphones
Miscellaneous
  • Handheld Microphone $20

    2 max for B100, 1 max for B330​

  • Lapel Microphone $60

    1 Max

  • Podium Microphone $60

    1 Max

  • Neat board $425
  • Podium $60

In no event will the Blum Center be liable for any loss or damage including – without limitation – indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever in connection with the use of the Blum Center’s equipment. The Blum Center does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials produced. It is the sole responsibility of the lessee to ensure media recordings are in compliance with copyright policies of the University of California and are informed by commonly accepted practices of the industry.

Webcasting and/or Digital Recording

Webcasting and/or digital recording assistance may be provided by campus Educational Technology Services (ETS), provided they are available during the time of your event. It is the responsibility of the lessee to make arrangements with ETS.

Guidelines

General Guidelines

  • If your event is on a weekend or outside normal business hours, 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday, you must arrange for a UCPD Security Patrol Officer (SPO) to be present for the after-hours period of the event. Provide a copy of the approved Police Services Request Form to the Facilities Manager no later than one week prior to the event date. Fax to (510) 666-9128 or email to blumcenter@berkeley.edu.
  • All events must end by 10:00 pm.
  • Building use is not permitted during normal campus closure periods, such as holidays and University breaks, etc. See UC Berkeley Academic Calendar.

Entry Doors and Access

  • Entry doors are controlled by central campus. Building access must be arranged with the Facilities Manager no later than three business days in advance of event.
  • No changes can be made once entry access schedule has been confirmed by the Facilites Manager.
  • Access to the rented room will not be permitted until the time for which it is contracted.

Lessee and Sponsoring Organizations' Responsibilities

  • Users agree to abide by the Rules of Conduct in Campus Buildings.
  • All groups are responsible for returning the facility to its normal condition at the conclusion of the event. This includes putting all tables and chairs back in place.
  • Event organizers must include in their contracted hours of rental sufficient time for setting up and taking down of events.
  • Users are responsible for making sure all trash is deposited in the waste containers, and all equipment and supplies from your event are removed .
  • If extraordinary cleaning/repair is deemed necessary, the additional vendor contractual fees will be recharged to the event organizer/sponsor. This includes moving services fees to reset any moved furniture.
  • Cleaning fees will be billed accordingly. Any debris abandoned after the event may result in further charges.
  • The sponsoring organization is financially responsible for any damage to the building, equipment, and/or furnishings caused by persons attending the event.
  • The sponsoring organization is responsible for enforcing UC Berkeley alcohol guidelines and smoke-free policy.
  • Fire, including candles of any size, are not allowed in Blum Hall.

Signage

  • No signs, banners, posters, or decorations may be nailed, tacked or affixed in any way to the interior walls of Blum Hall.  Signs may be posted using painter’s tape only. No scotch tape, masking tape, packing tape, etc. is allowed.
  • Banners must be draped on a table or affixed to podium with painter’s tape.
  • Damage to the walls and will result in loss of security deposit or charge to chartstring.
  • All interior and exterior signs must be removed at the end of the event.

Permits

Forms

Disclaimers

  • The Blum Center is not responsible for items left on premises by the lessee or guests. All goods and/or equipment must be removed from the premises immediately following the conclusion of the event.
  • The Blum reserves the right to refuse future rentals to organizations that do not comply with these policies.
  • The Blum Center does not provide room set up, posters, nametags, registration, website development, catering, or other event services. These are fully the responsibility of the event planner(s).
  • Exceptions to any of these policies are not valid unless approved in writing by the Blum Center Executive Director.
  • All reservations are subject to cancellation by the Blum Center Executive Director.

Payment and Cancellations

Payments and Deposits

  • UC Groups: IOC with account information and authorized signatures
  • Non-UC: Wire Transfer or Check
  • For UCB groups paying by check, a deposit is required as collateral against cleaning fees or property damage. The deposit is 10% of total room rental fees and should be paid with a separate check so that it can be returned. The 90% balance is due 30 days prior to the event.

Cleaning Fees will be determined at the time of rental confirmation.

Confirmation

Reservations are confirmed and guaranteed only upon receipt of all applicable forms and fees. It is not possible to place a “hold” on a room, other than by booking it. Confirmation of all required arrangements and permits must be emailed to “Facility Manager” at blumcenter@berkeley.edu no less than seven business days before the event.

No reservation request is confirmed unless written confirmation is received by applicant from the Facilities Manager.

Cancellations

Due to a high demand in room rentals, cancellation fees will apply to confirmed reservations as follows:

  • Cancellations less than 30 days (29 days to 8 days), subject to 20% of room rental cost..
  • Cancellations less than 7 days, subject to 50% of room rental cost.
  • Notice of a cancellation must be given in writing.

Host and Fellow Responsibilities

Host Organizations

  • Identify staff supervisor to manage I&E Climate Action Fellow
  • Submit fellowship description and tasks
  • Engage in the matching process
  • Mentor and advise students
  • Communicate with Berkeley program director and give feedback on the program.

Berkeley Program Director​

  • Communicate with host organizations, students, and other university departments to ensure smooth program operations

Student Fellows

  • Complete application and cohort activities
  • Communicate with staff and host organizations
  • Successfully complete assignments from host organization during summer practicum
  • Summarize and report summer experience activities post-fellowship