Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Cooking

Electrical Appliances and Electronic Equipment

Restrictions are placed on the types of equipment permitted in student housing because of limited electrical capacity in residential spaces and fire safety concerns. All electrical devices/appliances must be UL-approved. Residents are responsible for ensuring that all electrical appliances and electronic devices comply with the following guidelines. 

Approved Equipment and Appliances

  • Microwave ovens of 900 watts or less

  • Refrigerators no larger than 4.9 cubic feet in size

  • Televisions, stereos/radios, CD/DVD/Blu-ray players, gaming systems, chargers, computers

  • Coffee makers with no exposed hot surface (such as Keurig)

  • Curling irons and other heated hair tools

  • Hair dryers

  • Fans

  • Power strips with surge protectors

  • Non-halogen lamps/lights

  • Combination microwave/refrigerator units 

Unapproved Equipment and Appliances

Include but are not limited to: 

  • Air conditioners

  • Air fryers

  • Any appliances with exposed heating elements

  • Crock pots or slow cookers

  • Deep fryers 

  • Electric heating pads and blankets 

  • Electric woks 

  • Fog machines

  • Halogen lamps/lights

  • Hoverboards 

  • Indoor grills

  • Instant pots

  • Lava lamps 

  • Multi-plug adapters

  • Neon signs

  • Percolator or drip coffee pots

  • Portable heaters 

  • Pressure cookers

  • Propane grills

  • Sandwich makers/panini press

  • Spider lamps 

  • Torch lighters (including culinary)

  • Wax warmers (bulb, element, or flame)

Cooking and Community Cooking Facilities 

Cooking is permitted only in approved locations and with approved appliances. 

In traditional residence hall rooms, cooking is limited to approved microwave/refrigerator combination units or microwave ovens of 900 watts or less.

In some residence halls, the College provides designated community cooking facilities for student use. Food and trash resulting from cooking must be immediately disposed of and/or properly stored and all dishes and surfaces must be cleaned. Common area refrigerators will be cleaned out on a regular basis.

Students living in apartments, suites, or houses with College-provided kitchens may use approved kitchen appliances only in the kitchen area and only as intended. Appliances may not be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, lounges or other non-kitchen spaces unless specifically approved by the College (e.g., approved microwave/refrigerator combination units or microwave ovens of 900 watts or less).

Appliances or cooking practices that create fire, sanitation, electrical or safety concerns may be prohibited or removed at the discretion of the College.

Grills and Grilling Equipment Policy

Grills and grilling fuels may not be used or stored in student rooms, common areas, hallways, stairwells, patios, storage rooms, or other areas of College-owned and operated student housing.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • Propane or gas grills
  • Charcoal grills
  • Portable or tabletop grills
  • Electric grills designed for outdoor use
  • Smokers or other outdoor cooking devices that use combustible fuel
  • Charcoal, briquettes or other combustible grilling fuels, including accelerant-coated briquettes and briquettes designed to ignite without lighter fluid and chafing fuels, including gel fuel
  • Propane cylinders, bottles, or other compressed-gas fuel containers
  • Gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammable liquids intended for use with grills or other outdoor cooking equipment

This prohibition applies regardless of whether or not the grill or fuel is in use. Grills may not be used within 15 feet of any campus building or structure. Grills and grilling equipment may not be placed and used in a manner that obstructs exits, walkways, fire safety equipment, or other means of egress.