25-26 Resident Assistant Selection Process

job description & Compensation

Resident Assistants (RAs) are an integral part of the Office of Residential Life. These paraprofessional staff members have the most direct and consistent engagement with residential students living across our residential community. RAs must possess a desire to emulate a positive experience at SUNY Old Westbury and within the residence halls, an open mind to diverse student personalities, cultures, and identities, a willingness to step outside of their comfort zone, and to set an example for fellow students to model their behavior. The RA is a paraprofessional staff member who lives on a floor in a residence hall and serves as a community builder, role model, peer counselor, resource and referral person, advocate, policy enforcer, programmer, and campus leader. The RA also assists with daily emergencies, on-call coverage rotation, plans and implements social and educational programs and prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all students. The RA position's primary goal is to develop an environment conducive to residential students' academic and personal growth. The RA position is widely recognized and considered one of the highest student leadership and employment positions on college and university campuses. Additionally, this unique experience will help you develop many marketable and transferable skills for your career after SUNY Old Westbury.

Compensation: single-occupancy room per semester and a $500 stipend per semester

job responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of RAs include but are not limited to:
 Must be flexible regarding time (including nights, weekends, and holidays).
 Be able to relate to a wide variety of individuals and needs.
 Provide informal counsel and support for residents.
 Plan programs and activities for residents that address their needs.
 Perform essential administrative tasks.
 Be sensitive to diversity in lifestyles.
 Employ appropriate customer service standards.
 Must adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior.
 Explain and enforce the policies of SUNY Old Westbury and the Office of Residential Life.
 

Throughout the year, RAs are required to:
 Attend RA training two weeks before the Fall and Spring semesters start.
 Complete 8 hours a week of scheduled office hours.
 Participate in a nightly duty rotation with other RA staff members.
 Attend professional development meetings once a month (In-Services).
 Be present for both Fall and Spring Resident check-ins/check-outs.

minimum requirements

Candidates for the RA position must meet the following requirements:
 Maintain a minimum Cumulative and Semester GPA of 2.50 or higher.
 Must be in good disciplinary & financial standing with SUNY Old Westbury.
 Must have completed one full-time enrollment semester at SUNY Old Westbury before starting the RA position.
 

Outside employment, internships, and extracurricular activities may not collectively exceed 15 hours per week:
 RAs may not student teach or co-op.
 RAs may not hold an executive board position in Student Government Association (SGA), Campus Activities Board (CAB), or the Residence Hall Association (RHA) during their employment as an RA.

important dates

2025/2026 RA Info Sessions

  • 2/24 - Woodlands Hall 1 – 6:00pm 

  • 2/26 - Woodlands Hall 3 – 6:00pm 

  • 2/28 - Zoom - 2:00pm  (Zoom links can be found on Panther Connect)

  • Application Opens: March 4th

  • 3/04 - Woodlands Hall 4 – 6:00pm 

  • 3/12 - Woodlands Hall 2– 6:00pm 

  • 3/13 - Woodlands Hall 5 – 6:00pm 

  • 3/24 - Student Union – Panthers Pad

  • 3/26 - Academic Village - Multicultural center at 6:00pm

  • 3/28 - Zoom - 2:00pm  (Zoom links can be found on Panther Connect)

  • Applications will close on Monday, March 31st at 11:59 PM. 

  • Group Interview: April 11th
  • Individual Interviews: April 21st-May 2nd

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, about the RA application process or the position, please feel free to contact the Office of Residential Life at (516) 876-3210 or via email at reslife@oldwestbury.edu.Information Sessions: February 24th-March 28th (To apply for this role you must attend an information session)

how to apply

All students must go through the following to have a completed application: 

  1. Must attend an "Informational Session" which can found on Panther Connect. 
  2. Create and complete a Handshake Account (https://joinhandshake.com/students/)
  3. Search for "SA- 25-26 Resident Assistant Search Application" within Handshake
  4. Fill out the Microsoft form link in Handshake 
  5. and upload submitted PDF of resume in Handshake