LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) – It's been more than a month since the State of New Mexico launched an investigation into New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) after the college had to shut down its science building following reports of strong chemical smells. In its final report, the state says the university has more than a dozen violations on how they stored hazardous waste. "We have a situation where we have fallen short of our standards," said Neil Woolf, president of NMHU. In their latest report, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) found 16 different violations of how the college was storing chemicals. Those violations included: not labeling waste containers, not disposing of hazardous waste after 90 days, and leaving chemical containers open, which later evaporated. "Over the years, those chemicals had been stored in one of our storage rooms and hadn't been disposed of," Woolf said. Story continues below Trending: Tent Rocks National Monument will reopen, BLM and Cochiti Pueblo say Community: What’s happening around New Mexico November 8-14 Weather: New Mexico governor declares emergency as western winter storm leaves thousands without power However, according to NMED, six of those violations have reached compliance during the investigation. The school is expecting frequent visits from NMED for the next few years. "At any moment, we need to be ready for them to knock on the door, and say, 'We're here to make sure you guys are up to standards,'" Woolf explained. The college continues to release regular updates about the investigation and the status of the building on the university's website and said they are working to strengthen their chemical storage protocols. As part of the investigation's conclusion, the college must also provide documentation of weekly inspections of the hazardous waste storage areas to NMED. The building is expected to reopen in the spring semester. "What the report provided was a clear direction and clear path forward on what we need to do as an institution to make sure we have the safest building possible for our students," Woolf added. NMHU said they plan on using future funds to make improvements to the Ivan Hilton Science Building, but it's unclear what those improvements could look like at this time.