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Cornell University

Housing & Residential Life

Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program Resident Advisor Position Description

2026 Residential Leadership Position Description: PSSP Resident Advisor (RA)

The Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP) is an invitation-only 4-week program designed to help admitted Cornell students prepare for their first year at Cornell. Following a recent program review, PSSP was shortened from its previous 7-week format.  For more information on the PSSP program, please visit the PSSP page on the Learning Strategies Website.  To best support the program, PSSP hires residential staff to oversee approximately 200 incoming first-year students which includes Resident Directors (RDs), Resident Advisors (RAs) as well as Program Mentors (PMs).

Please note, Cornell Housing and Residential Life (HRL) only supports the selection of PSSP Resident Advisors.  If you are interested in applying to be a PM, please reach out to the program at cu-pssp@cornell.edu.

A Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP) Resident Advisor (hereinafter referred to as PSSP RA) is a live-in student leader who works to carry out the mission and values of Cornell University and Housing and Residential Life (HRL) within a residential community. PSSP RAs must commit to enhancing the overall residential experience of students at Cornell University. PSSP RAs accomplish this by building community through intentional engagement, maintaining safety and security, and connecting residents to campus resources. PSSP RAs also build relationships with their team and full-time staff members to strengthen a sense of belonging in the community. 

Time Commitment 

Please note that if a candidate is offered a position and cannot meet all time commitment expectations, their position offer will be rescinded. 

  • PSSP RAs can expect to be actively involved in the role as a RA for an average of 20 hours per week.  The 20-hour per week commitment includes, but is not limited to:
    • Building connections with residents;
      • This is inclusive of consistent and intentional interactions as well as pre-scheduled weekly structured time with residents.
    • Facilitating activities and interactions amongst residents;
    • Facilitating floor meetings;
    • Weekly one-on-one meetings with their supervisor during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM ET to 5:00 PM ET; and
    • Attending and participating in a weekly team meeting held on Wednesdays, 5:15 PM ET – 6:45 PM ET. This weekly team meeting is a required part of the position, and PSSP RAs should not schedule other commitments during this time.
  • PSSP RAs participate in an on-call rotation to support the safety and security of residents.
  • PSSP RAs actively participate in Student Leader training and resident Move-in and Move-out.
    • This time commitment varies from the weekly 20-hours commitment during these times.
    • Dates and details about Move-in and Move-out times will be shared within the Student Leadership Position Agreement.
  • Outside work or enrolling in a class are permitted with this position and MUST be approved by HRL in advance. Other outside commitments will also need to be discussed. 

The 2026 PSSP RA appointment dates will be included in the Student Leadership Position Agreement and are as follows: 

  • June 23, 2026, 9:00 AM EST – 5:00 PM EST: PSSP RA Move-in
  • June 24, 2026 – August 7, 2026: PSSP Dates of Appointment
    • June 24, 2026 – July 2, 2026: PSSP Student Leader Training
    • July 6, 2026: Supporting PSSP Move-in and welcoming residents.
    • August 7, 2026: PSSP RAs assist with Move-out (Closing)
  • August 8, 2026: PSSP RAs have until 12:00 PM ET to vacate the community. 

To ensure resident needs are met, PSSP RAs must be present when the community remains open within the appointment dates listed above. Time away from the community needs to be requested and approved. If approved, PSSP RAs will work to create a coverage plan in their supervisor’s direction.

  • Note: These dates are subject to modification in accordance with academic calendar changes.  The dates above are not all-inclusive and the agreement will include additional important dates within the date of appointment. 

Responsibilities 

  • Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with residents through intentional social interactions and educational or recreational programming.
  • Facilitate ongoing individual and group interactions and meetings to build connections, set expectations, and address conflicts and concerns. This includes, but is not limited to, facilitating Opening and Closing meetings at the beginning and end of the PSSP Program.
  • Maintain consistent availability to residents by being present and accessible within the community.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and sense of belonging for all residents by supporting education awareness and fostering a sense of community, ownership, and respect.
  • Assess and respond to the needs of residents through facilitating and supporting community engagement, informing the supervisor of needs, and connecting residents to campus resources.
  • Respond to resident concerns and critical incidents with a restorative approach (listening, revisiting and reestablishing expectations, discussing impact, repairing harm and relationships), while being supported by the Resident Director(s) and full-time staff (Residence Hall Director, Assistant Director, Associate Director, Director, Cornell University Police Department, etc.)
  • Meet on-call responsibilities while serving on an overnight on-call rotation.
  • Abide by and maintain the Community Living Standards, Student Code of Conduct, HRL Housing License, PSSP House Rules, and Cornell University Policies (e.g., University Policy 6.4) through proactive education and addressing and documenting concerns, while role modelling personal behavior consistent with all University, New York State, and federal laws, guidance, and policies.
  • Maintain timely communication with full-time staff, the RA team, and residents that is clear, concise, detailed, and that aligns with policies and procedures.
  • Complete administrative responsibilities of the role within the provided deadlines.
  • Demonstrate self-reflection and growth by engaging in and completing one-on-one documents and an evaluation.
  • Attend and participate in mandatory one-on-one meetings with their supervisor and weekly team meetings on Wednesdays from 5:15 PM ET to 6:45 PM ET.
  • Attend and participate in June/July Student Leader Training the dates for which are June 24, 2026, through July 2, 2026.
    • During this period, PSSP RAs will receive training on critical topics to support residents and build relationships with fellow team members and full-time staff.  Attendance and participation in ALL trainings is mandatory.
  • Support residential Move-in and Move-out processes at the beginning and end of the program.
  • PSSP RAs may hold no additional assistantships, fellowships, part-time jobs, or participate in extracurricular activities that would in any way interfere with the primary function of carrying out the responsibilities of a PSSP RA and/or the expectations of their building supervisor.  All outside or additional positions must be reported to, discussed with, and approved by the direct supervisor prior to accepting any such activity.   

 
Supervision 

PSSP RAs receive direct supervision from the Resident Director(s) (RDs), a full-time HRL staff member(s) who lives on campus, to support PSSP RAs as they uphold the HRL mission and values, and to facilitate the personal and positional development of RAs. PSSP RAs also receive indirect supervision from the Residence Hall Director (RHD) and an HRL Assistant and/or Associate Director. 

Eligibility Requirements 

  • Applicants must be Academic Year Cornell students.  Applicants who are only attending Cornell for the Summer are not eligible for the role.
  • Prior to the position start date, PSSP Resident Advisor applicants must have completed at least two (2) semesters (not including Winter or Summer semester) of college or university coursework, post-high school graduation.
  • Applicants and PSSP RAs must maintain a minimum semesterly and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5. GPA checks are conducted during the selection process and throughout the RA appointment to ensure eligibility requirements are met and maintained.
    • Courses taken as pass/fail or credit/no credit will only be counted towards meeting the semesterly credit requirement (at least 12 credits); they will have no impact on GPA requirements.
    • Winter and Summer semester will not count towards meeting the GPA requirement.
    • Applicants who fail to meet the minimum GPA requirement will not be eligible to continue in the selection process.
    • Applicants who are in their first semester at Cornell and do not have a GPA at the time of application, are able to submit an application. GPA requirements will be checked at the end of Spring semester to determine eligibility.
    • Applicants who are extended PSSP RA offers and fail to meet the GPA requirement at the end of the Spring semester will no longer be eligible for the position.
    • Transfer students that wish to apply for the role must have completed at least 1 academic semester at Cornell and will be asked to present their official or unofficial transcripts from their previously attended institution(s).
    • It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the HRL Student Leader Selection Committee at hrl-sl-selection@cornell.edu regarding any special circumstance that may influence the GPA requirement (e.g., incompletes, grade changes, etc.)
  • PSSP RA appointments are for the duration of the PSSP program and applicants must be able to commit to the entirety of the appointment dates.
  • Applicants and PSSP RAs must review and commit to the expectations and appointment dates listed in the “Time Commitment” section within this position description.  RAs must attend and participate in ALL of June Student Leader training and weekly team meetings.
  • Applicants and PSSP RAs are subject to all Cornell University regulations including, but not limited to, the Community Living Standards, Student Code of Conduct, Code of Academic Integrity, HRL Housing License, PSSP House Rules, Cornell University Policies 6.3 and 6.4, the Procedures for Resolution of Reports Against Students under Cornell University Policy 6.4, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and must comply with all University, New York State, local, and federal policies or guidance.
    • To be eligible to apply and serve in the position, applicants must disclose all current or past allegations or charges under the above-mentioned policies prior to and through the application process and while serving in the PSSP RA position.  Disclosure should be made at the time of application submission and if new allegations or charges arise, by notifying the HRL Student Leader Selection Committee immediately (within three business days of the notice) regarding any allegations or charges brought against said applicant or PSSP RA under the above-mentioned policies through the duration of application process and of the appointment’s term, even if allegations or charges are not upheld or moved forward into a formalized behavior process with a Cornell University office.
    • Conduct status will be checked regularly by Housing and Residential Life, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and the Office of Civil Rights.
    • It is the responsibility of the applicant and PSSP RA to notify the HRL Student Leader Selection Committee immediately of any changes to their status by emailing hrl-sl-selection@cornell.edu. Should inappropriate, negative, or prohibited conduct arise, appropriate follow-up will be taken, up to and including rescinding of position offer or removal from the position.
      • Failure to notify the HRL Student Leader Selection Committee of any allegations at any point during the application process (at the time of application and throughout the selection process) and the duration of the role (after accepting and while in the role), may result in an applicant/current PSSP RA being deemed ineligible for the role and being removed from the process or position.
  • Applicants who are offered a position must clear a background check to maintain the position. 
  • Applicants within the 2026 PSSP RA Selection Process who are not offered a position, or an alternate status, will be removed from the 2026 PSSP RA Selection Cycle.  Applicants within the 2026 PSSP RA Selection Process who are offered a position, or an alternate status and decide to decline, will be removed from the 2026 PSSP RA Selection Cycle. 

 
Compensation 

The PSSP RA position compensation includes a single room, a stipend distributed semi-monthly throughout the appointment, and a MicroFridge (owned by HRL) that remains in the room.  Stipends are subject to taxation.  The compensation may not be adjusted or allotted in other ways. 

Please consult with the Office of Financial Aid to learn how the position compensation grant may impact your financial aid package. You should speak with the Office of Financial Aid before accepting the position. 

  • The semi-monthly stipend totals $1,250 for the duration of the appointment . The stipend is subject to proration in the instance of a late arrival or early departure. 

 

Additional Benefits

  • Development of transferrable skills and competencies that can be included on resumes and in interviews including, but not limited to, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication, conflict, crisis, and emergency management, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion inclusive communities, facilitation, critical thinking, self-reflection, leadership, small- and large-scale event planning and implementation, and administrative management.  
  • Building relationships with numerous Cornell community members including, but not limited to, residents in your community, fellow residential life team members, HRL full-time staff, and various campus partners.