Restrictive tags added even though content not associated with those vocabularies

Drupal 5.7; use MySQL.

I have several vocabularies defined, including Topics, Membership, and Degree. Topics only indicates subject matter, but Membership restricts access (Public, Associate, Member...) as does Degree (No Degree, 1 Degree, 2 Degree...). Used to work fine.

Content type Story only has Topics associated with it. However, I have recently noticed that when I create a Story, and give a Topic (no drop down box appears for Membership or Degree, as it should be), it is tagged as "Member" and "No Degree", which it shouldn't be.

It's been a long time since I changed anything on the site and about as long since I posted a Story, so can't say what may have changed.

I assume the issue is related to TAC since the two restricting categories are the ones showing up where they shouldn't....

Thanks

RP