New York Times crossword puzzle, 38 across "It gets a new position upon graduation"?

Answer:  Tassel

I am often asked at graduations "What side do I put my tassel on when I march?" My response has always been that it doesn't really matter as long as graduates all do the same.  Now I am not so sure that was good advice.

Since tams have become popular Doctor attire I have noticed that all the tassels are permanently attached on the left side of the tam.  Since doctors have obviously all graduated it is safe to assume that a candidate for graduation would march with the tassel on the right and flip it to the left after being handed the diploma.   Make sense?