Renovation of College Hall I is under way, but the dorm probably won't be in use for another year.
On Oct. 12, a blaze gutted two rooms and heavily damaged two adjacent rooms on the first floor of a dormitory located on Mississippi Valley State University's campus.
Two students were arrested and accused of arson in connection with the dormitory fire.
Maria Johnson, 22, of Itta Bena and Tiffany Hall, 22, of Greenwood posted $10,000 bond each.
The women were placed on administrative suspension until the case is resolved.
"We cannot discuss the details of the case at this time because it is a legal matter," said Debbie Montgomery, public relations director at MVSU.
Renovation of the dorm is estimated to cost $800,000.
"Smoke inundated aspects of the building rendering the heating and cooling systems totally useless," said Montgomery.
"Sprinkler systems are required on new construction, so we are looking at installing a system for College Hall I," she said.
Sprinkler systems are not required on the older dorms, but updating them with sprinklers is under consideration.
Installing sprinklers is estimated to cost 450,000, said Montgomery.
The dorm is expected to reopen in the fall of 2007.
