In our residence halls, including South Campus Commons and the Courtyards, use of a stove, micro-wave, and/or oven unattended is prohibited due to the associated fire hazard. Failure to follow these regulations puts the safety and well-being of you and others throughout the residence hall at risk and could jeopardize your housing status.
The Department of Resident Life, Capstone On-Campus Management, Hillel, Chabad, and the University Fire Marshal's Office have identified alternatives for students living in apartments to be able to cook safely during Sabbath and holiday periods without leaving stoves or ovens on unattended or for longer than needed to cook/warm food.
Option 1: Designate a friend or neighbor to assist
Talk with a friend or neighbor in your residence hall who would be willing to come to your apartment to turn on/off your appliances at designated times before and after you complete your food preparation.
Option 2: Use other approved appliances
Stoves and ovens are not allowed to be left on without a resident supervising their use. However, several types of small kitchen appliances are designed to be left on for longer periods of time without constant supervision. These appliances include slow cookers (e.g., Crock Pot) and warming trays, used with a timer that can turn appliances on and off at pre-set times.
Should you choose to purchase and use one of these appliances, you must be sure that the device is listed by an approved testing laboratory such as Underwriters' Laboratories. A listed appliance has been tested and shown to be safe when used as recommended and will show the testing laboratory's mark, such as "UL". Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and use the product only as indicated by the manufacturer. Doing otherwise also represents a safety hazard.
Option 3: Eat-in and carry-out options
Instead of cooking in your apartment, you can eat-in at Hillel and Chabad, or you can order a carry-out meal to serve to friends. There are also kosher food options available at the Commons Shop. For more information on these options use the contact information below:
Maryland Hillel Dining
Web: www.marylandhillel.org/mpinformation/
Contact: Danny Weiss at dweiss@marylandhillel.org
Maryland Chabad
Web: www.umdchabad.org/
Contact: chabad@umd.edu
University of Maryland Dining Services Kosher Options
Contact: Dave Bullock at dbullock@umd.edu