Haas School of Business

Haas School of Business
Name	Haas School of Business
Established	1898
Dean	Ann E. Harrison
Parent	University of California, Berkeley
City	Berkeley, California
Country	United States

Haas School of Business. It is the business school of the University of California, Berkeley, one of the world's leading public research universities. Founded in 1898, it is the second-oldest business school in the United States. The school is named for its benefactor, the entrepreneur and former Levi Strauss & Co. president Walter A. Haas.

History

The school's origins trace back to the establishment of the College of Commerce at the University of California in 1898, under the leadership of the university's president Benjamin Ide Wheeler. This made it a contemporary of early business programs at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago. A significant transformation occurred in 1989 when a substantial gift from the Haas family, prominent descendants of Levi Strauss, led to the school's renaming. Key figures in its development have included deans like E. T. Grether and William Hasler. The school has consistently evolved its curriculum, notably launching one of the first Master of Financial Engineering programs and emphasizing principles like "Question the Status Quo."

Academics

The school offers a range of degree programs, including the full-time Master of Business Administration, the evening & weekend MBA, and the Master of Financial Engineering. Its undergraduate program grants a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The school is organized into academic groups such as Finance, Marketing, and Economic Analysis & Policy. Faculty research is supported through centers like the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics and the Institute for Business Innovation. The curriculum is heavily influenced by the school's distinctive "Haas Defining Leadership Principles," which guide its pedagogical approach across all programs.

Campus and facilities

The school's primary home is a complex on the southeastern side of the University of California, Berkeley campus, adjacent to Memorial Stadium. The main building, built in 1995, was designed by the architect Charles Moore. A major expansion, Connie & Kevin Chou Hall, opened in 2017 to provide additional classroom and collaboration space. The school also utilizes facilities in nearby San Francisco for some executive education programs. The campus provides students with access to the vast resources of the University of California, Berkeley library system, including the specialized collections at the Thomas J. Long Business & Economics Library.

Student life and culture

Student life is characterized by over 60 student-led clubs, including professional associations like the Berkeley Haas Finance Club and the Marketing Club. The school hosts annual competitions such as the UC Berkeley Startup Competition and the Global Social Venture Competition. A strong culture of collaboration, often summarized as "Confidence Without Attitude," permeates student interactions. The school's location in the San Francisco Bay Area provides students with extensive networking opportunities in industries like venture capital, technology, and clean tech. Traditions include "Haas Fridays" and the annual "Haas Gala."

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include the former Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin, the former chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Schapiro, and the co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore. Other distinguished graduates include the CEO of Mozilla Corporation Mitchell Baker and the founder of Sun Microsystems Bill Joy. Notable faculty have included Nobel laureates such as Oliver E. Williamson and John Harsanyi, as well as influential scholars like the former dean and professor Laura Tyson and the finance expert Richard Roll.

Rankings and reputation

The school is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally. Its MBA program is highly placed in publications like *U.S. News & World Report*, the *Financial Times*, and *Bloomberg Businessweek*. The undergraduate business program is frequently ranked as the number two program in the nation. The school is particularly renowned for its strengths in entrepreneurship, technology management, and sustainable business. Its reputation is bolstered by strong career outcomes, with graduates securing positions at leading firms such as Google, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs.

Category:University of California, Berkeley Category:Business schools in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1898