Thank you for your interest in applying to be a Resident Assistant (RA) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute!
RAs are student leaders who demonstrate positivity, kindness, compassion, creativity and who are genuinely interested in the well-being of other students. RAs act as a role model, liaison, and a resource in assisting students navigate living on campus, encouraging involvement in campus events and activities, support and foster an inclusive living and learning environment for all, and possess an understanding including disseminating information regarding institutional policies and procedures.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate applicants must have a semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Graduate applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants must also maintain the GPA requirement while serving as an RA.
- Students who are on conduct probation are not eligible candidates for RA positions.
- Applicants may not enroll for more than 18 credit hours per semester without prior permission from the Director of College Housing. Approved enrollment in more than 18 credit hours will negate eligibility for other employment.
RA Timeline
| Information | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | February 14, 2024 |
| Meet and greet session (location TBD) | February 21, 2024 |
| Interviews with Faculty & Staff | March 2, 2024 |
| Candidates luncheon | March 5, 2024 |
| Candidates notified | March 14, 2024 |
| Required Fall 2024 RA training | August 11 - 25, 2024 |
Benefits & Compensation
The Office of Residential Life will provide compensation equivalent to the cost of a single room per semester for the academic year in which the RA is on staff. Compensation is granted in the form of a scholarship credit at the beginning of the semester. If the RA is released from their position or if they do not complete responsibilities associated with the final two weeks of the semester, the daily rate of the room will be applied back to the student account on the day of termination. If closing responsibilities are not completed, room rate credit for the two weeks associated with closing responsibilities will be revoked. The student will be responsible for payment and any associated implications related to the financial aid status resulting from scholarship termination due to position separation or failure to complete check out/closing duties as assigned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Employment or paid positions in addition to serving in the role of an RA are generally not permitted. Rare, special circumstances related to specialized academic skills MAY be granted, but must be approved by the supervisor in advance of accepting any other employment opportunity. Additional employment opportunities may not exceed 9 hours per week for any reason. RAs may not be employed in stipend-paid positions that do not define hours per week as 9 or less in the work/employment/position contract.
Benefits include obtaining leadership skills and professional development, obtaining marketable job skill, as well as creating new relationships with students and staff. Additionally, RAs learn about conflict resolution and crisis prevention and intervention. RAs also receive a room scholarship.
No, a resume is not required.
Yes, RAs are allowed to play a team sport.
The RA position may affect your financial aid or scholarship award. To inquire, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 315-792-7210 or email finaid@sunypoly.edu.
Yes, but RAs must live on campus.
ANo, first-year students are not eligible to apply. Students must have completed one semester as a student before they are eligible to apply for a position on our staff.
RAs don’t have set hours per se. However, they must balance duty and desk shifts including evening and weekend duty as well as overseeing their residents within their assigned areas. Candidates will learn more about RA responsibilities during the RA information session and may also contact the Residential Life Office.
IRAs may have between have 25 to 35 residents depending on their assignment which varies per residence hall/suites.
Employment or paid positions in addition to serving in the role of an RA are generally not permitted. Rare, special circumstances related to specialized academic skills MAY be granted, but must be approved by the supervisor in advance of accepting any other employment opportunity. Additional employment opportunities may not exceed 9 hours per week for any reason. RAs may not be employed in stipend-paid positions that do not define hours per week as 9 or less in the work/employment/position contract.
An alternate RA is one who has qualified for the position but is not offered a position and is placed on the alternate list. An alternate RA will remain on the alternate list for the academic year and could be hired should a vacancy occur.
Faculty and staff are invited to the informal interview and will engage in casual conversation with the RA candidates during a one-hour lunch. The topics are everyday table conversations and reflections about the candidates’ experiences at SUNY Poly. At the conclusion, the faculty and staff complete a written evaluation regarding the candidates’ awareness of campus and community issues and their impression of the candidates’ readiness to be peer mentors. The evaluations are then reviewed by Residential Life staff.
The formal interview process is composed of two components. The first is “speed interviewing” in which candidates spend about five minutes to interact with a professional staff as well as current RA staff. The second component is a 30-minute one-to-one interview with a professional staff member. In this exercise, applicants will get a glimpse of what being an RA entails which may help them decide if this is a job they are interested in.
Faculty and staff are invited to the informal interview and will engage in casual conversation with the RA candidates during a one-hour lunch. The topics are everyday table conversations and reflections about the candidates’ experiences at SUNY Poly. At the conclusion, the faculty and staff complete a written evaluation regarding the candidates’ awareness of campus and community issues and their impression of the candidates’ readiness to be peer mentors. The evaluations are then reviewed by Residential Life staff.
Candidates are asked to wear presentable attire for the interviews, we recommend something the student is comfortable in.
No, once an assignment has been made, it cannot be changed.
Yes, but it is necessary for some RAs to remain on campus and to be on duty for fall mid-semester break, Thanksgiving recess, and spring break. At the conclusion of each semester, RAs are expected to remain on campus to complete room inspections after all students have departed.
The RA staff is required to arrive on campus for training two weeks prior to the beginning of the fall semester and one week prior to the beginning of the spring semester. The Director of Housing will email the RAs to notify them of the return date and time for the fall and spring semesters. These dates and times are also listed in the Residential Life Advisor Handbook.
RAs are required to return to campus prior to RA training for both fall and spring semesters.
RAs are required to return to campus prior to RA training for both fall and spring semesters
Contact Us
For additional information or questions about the RA application process, please email reslife@sunypoly.edu.
