Student Staff Positions

First, you will want to ensure that you are eligible for the RA position at SUNY Cortland. In order to be eligible you must meet the follow criteria:

• Be a current student with at least 2 semesters (including Spring 2024) of classwork at SUNY Cortland.
  • Transfer students with prior college experience may apply in their first semester at SUNY Cortland.
• Have at least a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA
  • While on the job, you will need to maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Be in good conduct standing with the Office of Student Conduct.
  • You cannot be on active probation while applying for the RA position.

Next, you will be required to attend one of our RA Candidate Information sessions. You are only required to attend one so choose the one that best fits your schedule.

• Monday, December 4 @ 5:00 p.m. in B-0134
• Thursday, December 7 @ 5:00 p.m. in B-0134
• Monday, January 29 @ 6:00 p.m. in Corey Union Fireplace Lounge
• Wednesday, January 31 @ 12:00 p.m. in Corey Union Fireplace Lounge
• Friday, February 2 @ 4:00 p.m. in Corey Union Fireplace Lounge
• Tuesday, February 6 @ 7:00 p.m. in Corey Union Fireplace Lounge
• Friday, February 9 @ 5:00 p.m. in Corey Union Fireplace Lounge

Finally, you need to complete your RA Application. The application can be found at jobs.cortland.edu. Click on “Student” and find the Resident Assistant (RA) to begin Fall 2024 application. Complete all parts of the application and submit.

Applications are due February 9, 2024. No late applications will be accepted.

After we have confirmed each candidate’s eligibility, we will be conducting individual interviews between February 14 through March 1.

Each candidate will be contacted by one of our current Residence Hall Directors or Area Coordinators to sign up for an interview time. You will interview with one professional staff member and one current RA. Each interview should last approximately 45 minutes.

Expectations for Individual Interviews:

• Dress presentably for the interview. You are not expected to purchase dress clothes specifically for this interview. However, please dress in a way that suggests you are taking this seriously.
  • Sweatpants with tussled hair that looks like you just rolled out of bed might suggest you are not taking the interview seriously.
  • Clean clothes and being awake, attentive, and friendly might suggest you are taking the interview seriously.
• Arrive on time to the main entrance of the Residence Hall at which you will be interviewing. A staff member from that hall will greet you.
• Prepare to answer questions about your leadership style, experience communicating with others, challenges working with groups, and why you want to be an RA.

Scheduled for Friday, March 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Student Life Center, room 1104, you can join other candidates in getting to know the professional staff that oversee our residence halls. Come prepared to engage informally with these professional staff members. The purpose is to give them a chance to meet candidates whom they did not interview and learn about you.  

The event will have light refreshments and will start with a short icebreaker. However, if you cannot arrive promptly at 4:00 p.m., no worries! Come anytime before 5:00 p.m. 

This event is OPTIONAL for candidates.  

For those to whom we are able to offer a job, you will receive an offer letter via your Cortland email account by Tuesday, March 19, which should include your building placement. Instructions will be included on how to complete the RA contract to accept your position.

While home for Spring Break, candidates should plan to retrieve documentation necessary to complete I-9 paperwork. This includes a passport OR a driver’s license/state issued ID and an original social security card or birth certificate.

All new hires will be expected to attend the New RA Orientation session on Friday, April 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. At this session, we will:

• Introduce you to other new RAs coming on board for Fall 2024.
• Review RA position and training expectations.
• Set goals for your new position.
• Complete necessary hire paperwork, including the I-9 form, which proves that you are legally eligible for employment in the United States. You will be required to present identifying documentation. More information will be provided to candidates that are offered a position

*   RA Candidates only need to attend one RA Info Session.