A former University associate professor of finance reportedly misused funds from a National Science Foundation grant between 1987 and 1989.

NSF officials said the professor, Robert A. Wood, used University staff, computer and mailing services paid for by the NSF and the University for personal and academic interests, according to an article in yesterday's issue of the Centre Daily Times.

Using the federal Freedom of Information Act, the Centre Daily Times obtained copies of NSF reports dated Dec. 13, 1991.

The report also said Wood planned to increase his salary with grant money, according to the article.

In 1989, University officials audited Wood's use of two NSF grants of $300,507 and decided he should repay $32,022 to the NSF grant and $3,959 to the University, according to the article.

But Wood and University officals negotiated Wood's final payment to the University to $11,842 and then credited the amount to the NSF, according to the article.

Wood failed to notify the NSF of this agreement, according to the article.

NSF investigators also asked the University to repay an additional $11,217 to the NSF, much of which was used to pay Wood's staff for working for the Brady Commission -- an investigative body formed by former President Ronald Reagan after the stock market crash in 1987, according the article.

John Brighton, executive vice president and provost, and Charles Hosler, retired senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, refused to comment.

Bill Mahon, Univeristy director of pubic information, could not be reached for comment at press time.

Although reports criticized Wood's actions, the NSF cannot file criminal charges because it could not determine if the misuse of funds was intentional, and it chose not to restrict Wood from future use NSF grants, according to the article.

The NSF reports also criticize the University for failing to adequately monitor the grants and the institute, according to the article.

University President Joab Thomas said that for the most part, faculty are very careful with their use of grant money.

"There are usually overlapping evaluations of the various vouchers," Thomas said, but added, "It's always possible that some kind of fraud can occur."

Wood, who now works at Memphis State University, could not be reached for comment.