Resident Advisor Applications

We work to provide a safe environment for students to live and learn together to achieve academic success, develop lasting friendships, and build the skills needed to achieve their future goals. Our goal is to create a home away from home where students are free to learn and explore their talents.

SUNY Maritime Resident Advisors/ Platoon Commanders [RA/PC] play a pivotal role in creating a sense of community among residents that encourages development of respect, social responsibility, integrity, ethical leadership and independence.

RA Job Contract

Students interested in becoming RAs are strongly encouraged to be familiar with the job responsibilities.

Resident Advisor Contract

Summary of Qualifications

Academic Requirements

At the time of application, the student leader must be at least a current 3rd class OR sophomore, have registered and completed of 12 completed semester hours as an undergraduate student OR pursuing 9 completed semester hours as a graduate student at State University of New York [SUNY] Maritime with GPA of 2.5. Upon offer and acceptance of position, RAs must earn minimum 12-16 credit hours per semester [UG level]/ 9 credit hours [GRAD level] unless prior approval otherwise is obtained from the Assistant Director of Housing & Residence Life. RAs must also maintain a semester and cumulative 2.5 GPA. RA applicants must also be in good academic standing with Student Affairs and/or the Regiment of Cadets.

College Residence Life Experience

Prior on-campus living experience preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Applicants must show knowledge of the Regiment of Cadets and/or the Maritime residential community as well as College and Residential Life policies and procedures. Applicants must also have the following abilities: to communicate well in group and individual situations; to establish rapport with a wide variety of people; to design and implement experiences to meet specific established goals; and to quickly evaluate crisis situations and respond appropriately.

  • Transfer students with on-campus housing experience may apply within first semester of living on campus at Maritime College.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 must be obtained at the conclusion of the semester immediately preceding the incumbents start of the RA position.

Pursuant to State University policy, SUNY Maritime College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, family status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction.

RA duties do require some physical work that would include climbing stairs, walking to and from buildings, and possibly moving and/or lifting heavy items maintained by the Office of Housing & Residential Life. If you have any individual needs or accommodations that would restrict you from performing any part of the RA duties, please request your needs in writing to the Director of Housing and Residential Life before signing this agreement.

Exceptions to the eligibility requirements are rare. All pertaining departments will have input regarding exceptions.

Compensation

Compensation for the RA/PC role will consist of a room waiver for the semester. *Room waiver subjected to change*

Apply to be a Resident Advisor/Platoon Commander

Application Materials

Submit the documents below to the Office of Residential Life. All paperwork must be completed in the application. Please include the paperwork in the order listed below.

  1. Start Application Here
  2. For the print option, please click here. If using this option, please submit below documents to the Office of Housing & Residential Life, located in the Student Affairs suite in Baylis Hall by the deadline. Please include paperwork in the order listed on the application.
  3. Personal Information Worksheet
  4. Professional Resume [Please highlight your relevant work and school experiences along with any jobs, leadership roles, and other experiences relevant to the position[s] you are applying for [TWO PAGES MAX].

 

Required Question Responses

Short answer questions [Must answer both short answer questions]:

  1. Why are you interested in a leadership position on campus? What qualities do you possess that you feel would translate well into this position?
  2. What are your time management strategies? How well do you manage multiple responsibilities?

 

Short essay question: [Must choose ONE of the following]:

  1. What is a current issue facing Maritime students, and how would you work to create a solution?
  2. Describe your personal definition of inclusion and how you believe you can ally and advocate for underrepresented groups at Maritime. If possible, please provide an example of a time when you were an ally or an advocate for an underrepresented population.
  3. What are the benefits of living in an active residential community? How would you balance the roles of providing support to residents in your community while still enforcing Regimental and College/ Housing policies?

Two letters of online reference [one personal and one professional]. Your references may not be written by individuals related to you. Acceptable references are current job supervisor, professors, department chairperson, mentor, pastor, etc. If you currently work for Residence Life, you must find references beyond this office.

Application Timeline

The RA Application is open from March 28, 2025- April 18, 2025 at 4PM. We will not accept applications after the deadline. The Office of Housing & Residential Life is looking to fill up to 12 spots on our team for the Fall 2025 semester. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

After the deadline, applicants who meet the qualifications will be invited to interview during April 25- May 1.

Final decisions will be sent on May 5, all notified participants must accept or decline the RA/PC role by May 9.

If you are chosen to join the team, please note: you will be required to attend mandatory RA training taking place on August 18, 2025- August 23, 2025. These dates are non-negotiable and cannot interfere with other regimental leadership such as Cadet Leadership/ INDOC. If you are a new applicant who will be cadet shipping or have familial/ life event obligations, your application may be deferred to the Spring 2026 semester as new team members must attend in-person training before taking the RA/PC position.

**Submitted applications will be vetted to ensure that the applicant meets all qualifications for consideration. Only qualified applicants will be allowed to participate in the RA selection process.

***Dates are subject to change.

****Attendance is mandatory for all students selected to be Resident Advisors.