An event safety plan is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It helps identify potential hazards, implement safety protocols, and provide guidance in emergencies, minimizing risks during the event.

A safety plan is always a good idea. It helps you to prevent emergencies and prepare to keep your attendees safe. Below are some criteria that UMB’s safety and security staff have identified to help you determine when to use a safety plan.

  • Event is indoors and may have more than 100 attendees for more than one hour.
  • Event is outdoors and may have more than 25 attendees for more than one hour.

UMB Emergency Management, Fire Marshal, and Police and Public Safety staff provide event safety plans for large event spaces at UMB and are available for safety and security consultations. Collaboration ensures all aspects of safety are covered.

  • For assistance with unique electrical requirements for rental or purchase, please contact the Service Center (fmsc@umaryland.edu) or 410-706-7570.
  • The Office of Emergency Management (emergencymanagement@umaryland.edu) is available for questions or concerns about event safety plans.

The UMB Office of the Fire Marshal may be required to perform code inspections for:

For more information see Common Code Violations and Guidelines

For approval and more information regarding requirements, contact the UMB Office of the Fire Marshal (firemarshal@umaryland.edu).

Applicable to Events Hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) or events hosted on UMB property by external or affiliated groups such as student or alumni associations, professional organizations, federal, state or local agencies.

Purpose
To ensure the health and safety of all attendees—including students, faculty, staff, and visitors—by establishing clear expectations for food safety when external caterers are engaged for University events.

Caterer Requirements
All external food vendors must:

  • Hold a valid Food Service Facility License issued by the appropriate Maryland regulatory authority.
  • Vendors must ensure they have proof of food handler certification for all staff providing food services at the event.
  • Comply with Maryland Food Code and local health regulations, including temperature control, sanitation, and allergen awareness.
  • Display the Maryland Food Allergy Awareness Poster prominently in staff areas, as required by Maryland law.

Hygiene and Sanitation Standards
Caterers must:

  • Use clean utensils and sanitized equipment at all times.
  • Ensure staff have access to and know the locations of handwashing stations and used wash their hands frequently.
  • Wear clean, food-safe attire, including gloves and hair restraints.
  • Prevent cross-contamination by separating raw and cooked foods.

Food Handling and Temperature Control

  • Hot foods must be held at ≥140°F (60°C); cold foods at ≤41°F (5°C).
  • Food must be transported in insulated containers and served promptly.
  • Leftovers must be discarded or properly stored within 2 hours of service.

Beverage Service

  • If children’s meals are served, default beverage options must comply with Baltimore City ordinance:
    • Water (still or sparkling, unsweetened)
    • Milk or non-dairy alternatives
    • 100% fruit juice (≤8 oz)

Reporting and Compliance

Any concerns about food safety or sanitation should be reported to:

Office of Public and Occupational Health
University of Maryland, Baltimore
UMBPOH@umaryland.edu 

Purpose

To establish UMB policy on the use of alcoholic beverages and to recognize standards for individual and group behavior at events where such beverages are served.

The UMB Alcoholic Beverage Policy is designed to (1) observe the laws of the State; (2) stress moderation, safety, and individual accountability for those who choose to drink; (3) provide a campus atmosphere free of coercion for those who choose not to drink; (4) maintain a community where the affects of alcohol abuse are minimal and where problem behavior is reduced; and (5) provide confidential and effective guidance and counseling for those with special needs related to alcohol and alcoholism. All students should be familiar with and abide by the principles and particulars of this statement. Each school on the UMB campus shall provide information to all students regarding the existence of this policy.

Maryland law forbids the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age or those visibly intoxicated, Article 2B, Section 118, Annotated Code of Maryland. The law also forbids misrepresenting one's age for the purpose of consuming alcoholic beverages, Article 27, Sections 400-423A, Annotated Code of Maryland. There have been indications in recent years (e.g., the heightened awareness of drunken driving, etc.) that drinking and alcohol-related behavior should receive careful attention.

Policy Statement

INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

  1. Individuals are expected to obey the law and take personal responsibility for their own conduct; the University will not police individuals' personal lives on or off campus.
  2. Disorderly conduct in any manner, or misrepresentation of age at on-campus social events sponsored by University-recognized organizations may subject the offender to disciplinary action and/or action by law enforcement personnel. The association of alcohol with problem behavior shall be seen as an exacerbating factor, not a mitigating one.
  3. Student and Employee Health provides confidential counseling, treatment, and referral to students seeking assistance for problems associated with alcohol abuse.
  4. Although the Dean or a designated faculty member of each school may refer students to Student and Employee Health, Alcoholics Anonymous or to other counseling and guidance resources, egregious offenses and repeat offenses, however minor, shall be referred to the appropriate disciplinary body in each school.

GROUP BEHAVIOR

  1. The student groups recognized by the university sponsoring social events on campus must abide by state and local law. Officers of the sponsoring organizations shall be responsible for submitting a UMB Alcoholic Beverage Permit and Statement of Responsibility as well as for good faith administration of this policy. Failure to do so may result in loss of social privileges, individual disciplinary action, loss of university recognition for the organization or suspension of reservation privileges.
  2. Student events at which alcoholic beverages may be consumed can be held only under circumstances in which the sponsoring organization demonstrates reasonable means of ensuring adherence to state law and proper clean-up.

SOCIAL EVENTS/ADVERTISING

  1. Alcoholic beverages may only be sold by student groups upon obtaining the appropriate liquor license for the area and event; alcoholic beverages may be served by student groups in areas designated by each dean or the Office of Campus Life.
  2. At all social events where alcohol is consumed, nonalcoholic beverages must be provided by the sponsor of the event and be equally available to students. All persons consuming alcoholic beverages must be of legal drinking age.
  3. Where alcohol is consumed, food shall also be provided by the sponsor of the event.
  4. Social events, such as beer blasts, which encourage drinking or drunkenness as themes, and the advertisement of such events are considered inappropriate and shall not be permitted.
  5. The alcoholic beverage industry shall not be allowed to distribute their product on campus for promotional purposes. Other promotional activities by alcohol marketers may only be permitted with the written approval of the Office of Student Affairs.

Read the policy here. 

The University reserves the right, based on reasonable assessment, to deny, cancel, postpone or move a reservation, or immediately terminate any ongoing activity that does not comply with University policies, including UMB Building and Space Access, and/or applicable laws. This guidance is not intended for routine educational and business activities (e.g. classes or team meetings) that do not meet any of the listed criteria or pose other safety or security concerns to faculty, staff, or students.