As Binghamton University’s population of graduating seniors continues to increase, this Dec. 9 will mark the first fall graduation in BU’s history.

At the Sunday ceremony at least 1,054 students from the summer and fall 2007 semesters will be graduating.

In recent years, the University has had trouble accommodating the growing number of guests that attend the spring commencement ceremony. The mid-year ceremony has been introduced this fall as a way of decreasing the size of the spring commencement and to provide more sufficient space for all graduates.

Although fall graduates could previously choose to walk in the spring commencement in order to share the experience with their peers, students will no longer be afforded this option. The fall graduating class will be forced to attend the fall event if they wish to participate in the spring ceremony.

Summer graduates will be allowed to walk in the spring, but only if they are six credits or less away from graduation by the end of the spring semester.

BU will host Soledad O’Brien, news journalist and CNN special correspondent as a guest speaker. In addition to awarding diplomas, the administration will be awarding O’Brien with the University Medal.

‘This is the highest honor that the University can bestow,’ said Ryan Yarosh, a University spokesperson.

Two students, Margaret Wells and Alan Weissman, are scheduled to speak as well.

Wells, an assistant clinical professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University’s College of Nursing is a Decker School of Nursing doctoral degree candidate.

Weissman is a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He is the BU chapter president of the National Society for Leadership and Success, and does public service through Harpur’s Ferry and the Rainbow Pride Union.

According to Yarosh, the school will also be using the first annual ceremony as an opportunity to begin new commencement traditions. Each graduate will wear a white ‘stole of gratitude’ as part of their formal regalia. The stole is intended to be signed and given as a gift of appreciation to a faculty or staff member that has made a lasting impression on the student.

Participating graduates received four guest tickets when they purchase their cap and gown, and were given the option to request more tickets for additional guests on an individual basis.

Matt Landau, vice president of academic affairs for the Student Association, said he is still hearing some complaints from students about the situation, despite the fact that there will be more space for guests and the option to walk in the spring graduation ceremony as well.

‘I think there should be the option to walk with whichever class you want,’ Landau said.