Wednesday, June 8, 1994 - The Michigan Daily - 3 Student jumps out ~ .-., w 18th story wido By Michelle Lee Thompson DAILY STAFF REPORTER Grace Ko, a 20-year-old business school student, took her own life last Wednesday at around 3:35 p.m. by jumping from her 18th-floor Tower PlazaCondominiumwindow onto East William Street below. Ko was to be a senior in the fall, and was in the BBA program. Ko lived with her brother King- Wai Ko, a graduate student in engi- neering at the University, who had been in New Orleans for a conference when his sister died. Both were native Hong Kong residents. According toThe Ann ArborNews, the police report said there was no sign that Ko had a roommate. Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Richard Blake said the po- lice had searched the scene, including the trash, to rule out foul play. The police reported that no note was left. Althoughshe was arrested forretail fraud Tuesday, Ko left an unfinished note in Chinese to her parents, found later by her brother crumpledinawaste- basket. In the note, she claimed her innocence, and said that her arrest, which was never processed, had been a mistake. The note contained English instructionstoforward ittoherparents. Ko's brother assumed the allega- tions of retail fraud must have fright- ened and humiliated her. Deepak Bhakta, a medical student and friend of Grace Ko, described her asquietbuthard-working, genuineand sincere. Jeffrey Wilson, a friend and Tower Plazadoorguard,saidhe already missed Ko's cheery attitude. "She was the perfect lady," Wilson said. Ko's brother also said his parents providedhissister whatevershe wanted materially. "She was like a kid ... she was so innocent," King-Wai Ko said. Ko said he felt that either the police or the security guard at the Briarwood Mall Sears store had mistreated his sister, possibly inflating her alleged crime. "I'm very angry with the way they handled this," he said, adding that he was considering legal action after the family had time to grieve. Facing shoplifting allegations, Grace Ko claimed that she had not taken the inexpensive clothing she was accused of stealing, and she had re- ceipts for all of it. Her brother later found receipts in her purse for goods almost identical to those she was ac- cused of taking from Sears. He said he thought his sister's bro- ken English may have led to a misun- derstanding causing her to takeher life. "Our family is very close. We have a strong bond between us. I believe in my sister. She wouldn't have done it," King-Wai Ko said of his sister. "She must have been very alone with no one to talk to. If she had someone to talk to, this never would have happened." Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowisthink- ing aboutsuicide, please contact one of the following services: N Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Services-University of Michigan-JointPsychiatricEmergency Services, Ann Arbor - 996-4747 'Ozone House, AnnArbor-662- 2222. DOUGLAS KANTER/Daity Slip and Slide A rollerblader avoids the Palmer Field sprinklers as he circles the track yesterday afternoon. fces move to Wolverine ower By Janet Burkitt DAILY STAFF REPORTER Three University offices have packed their bags this summer. The University's Human Re- sources & Affirmative Action, Pay- roll and the Benefits Office moved to the Wolverine Tower near Briarwood Mall. P Faculty and administration said they are taking great strides to mini- mize any potential problems arising from the relocation of the offices. The University purchased the property, located at the intersection of South State Street and Eisenhower Parkway, in December 1992 for $9 million. The offices, however, did not move until late May of this year. "Most of the offices coming out here are in business and finances. One of the purposes was to get these offices out of leased buildings and onto University property," said Diane Vasquez, an administrative associate in the Human Resources and Affirma- tive Action Department. She said another intent of the move was to consolidate University offices that often function together. "Before they were all over cam- pus," Vasquez said. "Now the offices that do a lot of interacting both with paper and communication are located in close proximity to each other, mak- ing interaction more efficient." To ease the transition, the Univer- sity has made an agreement with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority to have a bus running to the building every 15 minutes. The bus will be free to students and faculty with Univer- sity i.d. Assistant Director of Capital Plan- ning at the Plant Extension Office William Dergis does not foresee the relocation creating any difficulties for students. "I don't think it will have much effect at all. The offices moving are entirely administrative; no aca- demic offices are moving," he said. ATTENTION STUI)ENTS: At University Towers, we've got room just for you... o VE R 1 N s ...or the whole team Exercise Room " Study Lounge " TV Lounge " Computer Room " Laundry Facilities 24 hourAttended Lobby " Game Room " Outdoor Pool " Heat and Water Included Univery Tower8 ApartIents 536 S. Forest Ave. 761-266 SUMMER JOBS THAT PAY TH ROU6H THE YEAR /',oi Message Center USA, a leader in paging and wireless communication services, is looking for business minded college students who would be interested in putting their sales knowledge to work. The program provides 5% residual commission on collected revenue-You can continue to collect money throughout the school year and cumulatively the next year if you decide to work the following summer, or vacation. Message Center will train you to sell residential and commercial long distance services in your area. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please send your resume or name, address, and telephone number to: MESSAGE CENTER PM0IN0 AND WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES Message Center USA Summer College Sales Program 40 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105 (203) 220-0021