The Residential Life Master Plan continues as Mark Twain closes down at the end of this semester. The RLMP addresses overdue maintenance needs on facilities and also incorporates enhancements of facilities in support of composed student living and learning initiatives.

According to the MU Residential Life website, modifications will include improvements for rooms and suites, as well as address building codes, replace central air conditioning, heating units, plumping pipes and fixtures. The update will also add a fire protection sprinkler system.

The website goes on to say Mark Twain Market, which was renovated in 2000, provides service to students living in McDavid Hall. While Mark Twain is closed, Mark Twain Market will remain open for the spring 2012 semester.

However, Mark Twain Market is also scheduled for renovations. There will be a seating area expansion, updated refrigerated, frozen and dry storage, new receiving areas and a roof replacement.

Although Mark Twain Market will remain open for the convenience of the McDavid residents, there will be a reduction in the hours of operation.

“Residents of McDavid are lucky because Mark Twain Market will remain open next semester, which is really great because the only other dining halls are across campus,” McDavid resident Kelsey McMullen said. “The thing is, though, hours will be cut back and there will be a little less variety of food.”

Huckleberry Express, a small convenience store attached to Mark Twain Market, will be closed during the renovation.

“I think one of the biggest hits will be the loss of Huckleberry Express,” McMullen said. “I know a lot of McDavid residents who really took advantage of their late hours.”

The current operation hours for Mark Twain Market are 7:15 to 10 a.m. for breakfast, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 7 p.m. for dinner Monday through Thursday. Hours extend slightly on Fridays, with lunch from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There is also a Mark Twain Market express service available from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the weekends.

For the spring semester, Mark Twain Market will not offer breakfast. It will be open for lunch Monday to Friday at 11 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. It will still open for dinner at 4:30 p.m. and close at 7 p.m, but only Monday through Thursday.

McMullen said the head staff members of Campus Dining Services met with the residents of McDavid with the residents’ needs as their main priority. The CDS members explained what is to be expected for the upcoming semester and were open to any solutions the residents could come up with to assist in a smooth transition to the new plan.

“We have worked closely with the students of McDavid to establish a plan,” CDS Marketing Manager Michael Wuest said. “We will have options available to them and they are more than welcome to eat at any of the other CDS residential locations.”

The closest dining facilities for the residents of McDavid are Pavilion at Dobbs and Time Out.

“Mark Twain closes at the end of the semester and will be closed until Fall 2013,” Wuest said. “We will work once again with the residents of McDavid to establish what plan will work best.  There are many options available, and we want to make sure we are providing adequate service.”