DOUBLE PAY RESOLVED AT UNIVERSITY

Professors at Southeast Missouri State University got a Christmas present Monday, but it didn't last long.

According to officials at two Cape Girardeau banks, a computer glitch sent double paychecks into professor's bank accounts. Only those with electronic funds transfer service from the university were affected.

"It was a great Christmas bonus," said one professor who withheld his name. He said he found out about the glitch when he checked his balance at Union Planters Bank on Monday.

Professors with accounts at Boatmen's Bank also were affected, a customer service representative there confirmed.

The problem was fixed Tuesday with another funds transfer -- this time back into Southeast's coffers.

Cheryl Mabuce, a senior vice president at Union Planters, said mistakes in electronic deposits aren't uncommon but can be fixed easily.

"I think everyone is a little leery of EFT at first, but as you get tired of writing checks, buying stamps and running by the bank, you start to like the idea," she said. "If a mistake is made, there's a very simple trail to find it."

A woman in the university's accounting office said Monday that her supervisor was out of town and she wasn't at liberty to discuss the mistake.