Resident Advisor FAQs
Please review questions and responses specific to each position. If you have additional questions after reviewing all materials available, email hrl-sl-selection@cornell.edu
Resident Advisor (RA) Position
How can I learn about the RA position? To learn more about the RA position expectations and eligibility requirements, visit the Housing & Residential Life Resident Advisor (RA) Position Description page.
Where can I learn more about the RA selection process? Information about the selection process including timelines, application process, information selections, application short essay questions, how to prepare for the interview, and remuneration, visit the Housing & Residential Life Resident Advisor (RA) Position Description page.
Additionally, there will be information sessions advertised during which students can learn about the RA position and the selection process. A recording of the information session will also be posted to the Housing & Residential Life Residential Advisor Positions page.
How does being an RA affect my financial aid? Each Financial Aid package is different so we strongly recommend that you contact the Financial Aid office for specific details on how the Housing Grant and Resident Advisor role may affect your financial aid. When connecting with the Financial Aid office, you can let them know of your intent to apply and that the remuneration package includes a single room and a semi-monthly stipend.
What does it mean for a RA candidate to go through the background check process? The background check process is overseen by Human Resources, and it utilizes a third-party vendor. The background check ascertains any criminal convictions (including misdemeanors, felonies) in any states/counties that is associated with your social security number. Please understand that a criminal record would NOT automatically preclude you from a RA role.
If you have any personal questions regarding the background check process, please connect with Student & Campus Life Human Resources.
If you have logistical questions about the background check process (eg. timeline, notification process, etc), note that information will be provided after a RA offer has been accepted.
How many positions are available? The Residential Life team includes approximately 200 RAs. We tend to have vacancies acrossNorth and South campus within first-year, upper level and program house communities. The number of vacancies varies, and we are not able to share the number of positions.
If I am applying to be an RA, should I still participate in the Housing selection process if I am interested and/or required to live on campus next year? We encourage all applicants to participate in the Housing selection process if you are interested and/or required to live on campus next year as submission of an RA application does not guarantee a position.
What happens if I signed a 2024-2025 Housing License with Housing & Residential Life and I am offered and accept an RA position? If you have signed a 2024-2025 Housing License with Housing & Residential Life and are offered and then accept an RA position, the Student Leader Selection team will work to update Housing of your RA position. Housing will then update your Housing License and room assignment to reflect the remuneration of an RA position. NOTE: We are not able to assist students with changing lease agreements they may have signed for off-campus housing.
What happens if I signed a 2024-2025 Housing License with Housing & Residential Life, and I am offered a position which I decline or am no longer eligible for? If you have signed a 2024-2025 Housing License with Housing & Residential Life and are offered and then decline the position or are no longer eligible, you are responsible for the 2024-2025 Housing License you signed.
If I have a health and/or disability accommodation which impacts my housing assignment, how is that taken into consideration? Accommodation needs do not impact eligibility for the position. If you have a health and disability accommodation request, please apply for a housing accommodation, if you have not already done so. After position offers has been accepted and assignments shared with Housing, we will work with Housing and Student Disability Service to meet approved accommodation.
Can I hold another job while serving as an RA? RAs must meet the expectations outlined by the Graduate School and the Office of Global Learning regarding student employment. If a student is eligible to exceed over 20 hours a week based on their academic or visa status, RA are able to hold other jobs. However, RAs much speak to their supervisor about how they will manage responsibilities of an additional job as all RA responsibilities must be met.
RAs are not permitted to hold positions for Orientation or the Tatkon Center as the commitment to each role has conflicting time requirements at pivotal times during the year.
I am an International Student; can I apply to be an RA? All students who meet the eligibility requirements for the position may apply to be an RA. International students should also review the eligibility requirements found on the Office of Global Learning website.
The final part of verifying eligibility is that students who are offered and accepted a position must successfully pass a background check. To complete a background check in the United States, a social security number is required. If you are offered an RA position, you will need to obtain an SSN to complete the background check. You must obtain an SSN in person; this cannot be done virtually. If you need help obtaining an SSN, please visit the Office of Global Learning’s page on applying for an SSN which can be found here: Apply for an SSN.
How is RA placement assessed and finalized? RAs are required to live on campus during their appointment, in the community that the RA is assigned to. Within the application, an applicant can indicate interest in Program Houses, First-Year Communities, and Upper-Level Communities (this does not include West Campus, Hasbrouck, or Cooperative Housing). Interests are considered, but not guaranteed. Placement is based on the needs of the department and can include a campus area that an applicant did not indicate interest in.
Successful candidates who are offered a position will be notified of their community placement within the offer letter. Should a candidate decline from the office, they will be removed to the 2024-2025 RA Selection Process.
Can I apply to be an RA if I am currently studying abroad or doing an internship elsewhere? If you meet eligibility requirements and meet the deadline expectations, your application will be considered. Should you be extended an interview (interviews are not guaranteed), a virtual option will be provided. The virtual interview will need to occur during interview days shared within the timeline. As a reminder, the position cannot be held virtually, and an RA must be physically present and engaged in their community during the RA appointment.
Can I serve as an RA if I am a graduate student at Cornell University? Graduate Students can be an RA serving an undergraduate community. Note that this is different than the Graduate Resident Advisor position. There is only one GRA position on campus. The GRA works in Schuyler House and aids their RHD in managing the Schuyler House RA Team, as well as doing programming, and on call shifts (note, the GRA also has other duties as assigned).
If I am hired to be an RA, when do I come back to campus for the new academic year? What are the important dates I should know about? RAs arrive to campus prior to the start of Cornell resident Move-In each semester to participate in training and depart each semester after completing closing responsibilities that happen after residents move-out of the communities. An overview of dates and time requirements are provided within the position description.
Additional details about important dates and time requirements are shared within the 2024-2025 Residential Leadership Position Agreement, which is shared after a candidate accepts an RA position.
Why do RA conduct intentional interactions with residents? In addition to supporting the safety and security of residents, RAs play a vital role in building community for and amongst residents. RAs are expected to have intentional interactions with residents throughout their appointment to get to know the resident, connect with others within the community, and inform them of resources based on their needs. What are RA interactions
What does it mean to be on-call as a RA? All RAs participate in an on-call rotation. During their assigned on-call night, the RA(s) on-call hold a community on-call phone which residents call when they are seeking assistance for situations such as but not limited to lockouts, noise concerns, and roommate conflicts. On-call hours are 7:00pm – 8:00am, Sunday-Thursday and 24 hours on the weekend (Friday-Sunday). Additionally, the RA on-call is expected to be in the building from 9:00pm-8:00am. Outside of those hours, the Resident Advisor on-call needs to have a 15-minute in-person response time.
During the on-call shift, the assigned RA on-call stays in the community and conducts community rounds (used to connect with residents and address concerns). RAs on-call are able to sleep while on-call with the expectation the community on-call phone is answered, and on-call expectations are met.
Are RAs expected to be on campus during University Breaks and Holidays? RAs are expected to support their communities when the communities are actively open. This can include University breaks and holidays. The RA team shares the scheduling responsibilities for university breaks and holidays and scheduling is overseen by their direct supervisor at the beginning of the year.
Is a RA position a 12-month appointment? The RA position is a 9-month appointment which includes the Fall and Spring semester. While there are Winter and Summer RA positions, those roles include separate applications. The process for those applications are shared mid-Fall and mid-Spring Semester, respectively.
Are RAs required to be in their communities at all times? The RAs position is a live-in role that requires living and sleeping in the community.
RAs need to be in community to complete expectations outlined within the approximate 20-hour role commitment outlined within the position description. They are also required to be in the community during their assigned on-call shift. Additionally, they should be a sufficient presencein the community in order to serve as a resource and community building for and among residents.
Of course there are times when RAs are away from their community (eg. Weekend away visiting family, internship interview etc.). RAs work with their supervisor regarding time away to ensure appropriate coverage for their residents.
Who are some campus partners RA can expect to work with? RAs work with Cornell University Police Department, Faculty Programs (Faculty-in-Residence, Faculty Fellow, Community Fellow), and the Tatkon Center. There may be other collaborations at the direction of the supervisor and/or department.