Picture this - you're sitting in your dorm reviewing notes or getting in a quick nap before your next class, suddenly you smell something burning. Next, the smoke alarm goes off, and you and other residents immediately dash to the nearest safety exit. A firefighter says, "Someone just burned smoked sausages."
According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2007 to 2011, firefighters responded to over 3,800 housing fires at universities. Open flames and high-powered electronics and appliances like microwaves, hot plates and portable grills put campus buildings and residents at risk.
Maya Williams, a sophomore international studies major at the University of Memphis, lives on campus and doesn't think kitchens should be allowed in dorms.
"A lot of freshmen and sophomores - the main ones living in dorms - do not know how to properly use a stove and oven," Williams said. "As a result, things catch on fire and a fire drill ensues. As a student resident, it causes anger and frustration. Nobody wants to be stuck outside after they just took a shower, because someone can't cook."
However, Meghan Swartz, a resident advisor for Rawls Hall, lived in the Living Learning Complex last year and believes housing should continue to have kitchens.
"We've only had a microwave, so there wasn't so much to cook," Swartz said. "I think with being able to have a kitchen with an oven and a stove offers the residents healthier options. They have more food that they can prepare and eat rather than just popping something in the microwave."
Although residents are known to voice their complaints when there's a fire drill, Swartz said there have only been one or two a year, and they were because of sensitive detectors, not bad cooking.
"I guess its just part of it," Swartz said. "Along with having the kitchens, it should be an understanding that you actually know how to cook by going over general things with residents - making sure that it's posted in kitchens as well as the general instructions of how to operate the oven and stove so that it reduces the fire drill."
Chatoria Dotson, a junior education major, lives in Rawls Hall and doesn't think kitchens should be in dorms as well.
"I honestly would not mind kitchens being in dorms but, due to safety, I would recommend it (removing kitchens) because every time something starts smoking and a fire starts, they (RA) have to call the firefighters, and it doesn't matter what time," she said. "Everyone will have to evacuate, and somebody can be asleep or in the shower - that's why I say no."
Dashauna Biffle, a sophomore nursing major, disagrees.
"College students have been proven to be in debt during college, so that means we are broke," Biffle said. "The less money we spend on fast food the better. They (kitchens) are a great accessory to the dorms and quite useful."
Even though fire alarms might be frustrating, she doesn't mind.
"A minor disturbance every now and again that can possibly save my life is fine with me," Biffle said.
