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AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
STANDING COMMITTEE ON PARALEGALS
REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION
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RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association approves the Bunker Hill Community
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Boston, MA.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association reapproves the following
paralegal education programs: University of Alaska Fairbanks, Paralegal Studies
Program, Fairbanks, AK; Samford University, Division of Paralegal Studies,
Birmingham, AL; Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newport
Beach, CA; El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA;
University of California Irvine, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA; University of
California San Diego, Legal Assistant Training Program, La Jolla, CA; Vincennes
University, Paralegal Program, Vincennes, IN; Sullivan University Louisville, Institute
for Legal Studies, Louisville, KY; Baker College of Auburn Hills, Paralegal Program,
Auburn Hills, MI; Eastern Michigan University, Paralegal Studies Program, Ypsilanti,
MI; Henry Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI;
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN; University
of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS; University of
Montana Missoula, Paralegal Studies, Program, Missoula, MT; Metropolitan
Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Omaha, NE; Brookdale Community
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ; Fairleigh Dickinson University,
Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ; Raritan Valley Community College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Somerville, NJ; Genesee Community College, Paralegal Studies
Program, Batavia, NY; Capital University Law School, Law and Paralegal Programs,
Columbus, OH; Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program,
Media, PA; Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg,
SC; Technical College of the Low Country, Paralegal Program, Beaufort, SC; and
Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association withdraws the approval of
LIU Post, Legal Studies Institute, Brookville, NY; Stautzenberger College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Brecksville, OH; and Western Dakota Technical Institute, Paralegal
Program, Rapid City, SD, at the request of the institutions.
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FURTHER RESOLVED, That the American Bar Association extends the terms of
approval until the August 2016 Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates for the
following programs: Auburn University Montgomery, Paralegal Education Program,
Montgomery, AL; NorthWest Arkansas Community College, Paralegal Studies
Program, Bentonville, AR; University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal
Assistance/Paralegal Program, Fort Smith, AR; Cerritos College, Paralegal Program,
Norwalk, CA; Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA; John F.
Kennedy University, Legal Studies Program, Pleasant Hill, CA; Miramar College, Legal
Assistant Program, San Diego, CA; Mt. San Antonio College, Paralegal/Legal Specialty
Program, Walnut, CA; National University, Paralegal Studies Program, Los Angeles,
CA; San Francisco State University, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA;
Santa Ana College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA; University of California
UCLA Ext, Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA; University of LaVerne,
Legal Studies Program, LaVerne, CA; West Valley College, Paralegal Program,
Saratoga, CA; Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO;
Norwalk Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Norwalk, CT; Quinnipiac
University, Legal Studies Program, Hamden, CT; Georgetown University, Paralegal
Studies Program, Washington DC; Delaware Technical and Community College,
Paralegal Technology Program, Georgetown, DE; Widener University Delaware Law
School, Legal Education Institute, Wilmington, DE; Broward College, Legal Assisting
Program, Pembroke Pines, FL; Seminole State College of Florida fka Seminole
Community College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Sanford, FL; South University,
Legal Studies/Paralegal Studies Program, Royal Palm Beach, FL; Athens Technical
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA; South University, Legal
Studies/Paralegal Studies Program, Savannah, GA; Kirkwood Community College,
Legal Assistant Program, Cedar Rapids, IA; College of Lake County, Paralegal Studies
Program, Grayslake, IL; Northwestern College fka Northwestern Business College,
Institute of Legal Studies, Bridgeview, IL; Roosevelt University, Paralegal Studies
Program, Chicago, IL; Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Paralegal Studies
Program, Carbondale, IL; William Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program,
Palatine, IL; Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University,
Paralegal Studies Program, Bowling Green, KY; Morehead State University, Paralegal
Studies Program, Morehead, KY; University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program,
Louisville, KY; Herzing University, Legal Assisting/Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner,
LA; Tulane University, Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA; Oakland
Community College, Paralegal Program, Farmington Hills, MI; Oakland University,
Paralegal Program, Rochester, MI; Missouri Western State University, Legal Studies
Program, St. Joseph, MO; Mississippi University for Women, Legal Studies Program,
Columbus, MS; Central Piedmont Community College, Cato Campus, Paralegal
Technology Program, Charlotte, NC; Middlesex County College, Legal Studies
Department, Edison, NJ; Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program,
Montclair, NJ; Suffolk County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Selden,
NY; Columbus State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, OH;
Fortis College, Paralegal Program, Centerville, OH; Sinclair Community College,
Paralegal Program, Dayton, OH; University of Cincinnati--Clermont, Paralegal
Technology Program, Batavia, OH; University of Toledo, Paralegal Studies Program,
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Toledo, OH; Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH; Rose State
College, Paralegal Studies Program, Midwest City, OK; University of Oklahoma Law
Center, Legal Assistant Education, Norman, OK; Central Carolina Technical College,
Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Sumter, SC; Greenville Technical College, Paralegal
Program, Greenville, SC; Midlands Technical College, Paralegal Program, Columbia,
SC; Kaplan Career College, Paralegal Studies Program, Nashville, TN; South College,
Legal Studies and Paralegal Studies Programs, Knoxville, TN; Lee College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Baytown, TX; Salt Lake Community College, Paralegal Studies
Program, Salt Lake City, UT; J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Paralegal
Studies Program, Richmond, VA; Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program,
Arlington, VA; Edmonds Community College, Paralegal Program, Lynnwood, WA;
Chippewa Valley Technical College, Paralegal Program, Eau Claire, WI; Madison
College, Paralegal Program, Madison, WI; Western Technical College fka Western
Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal Program, La Crosse, WI; Casper College,
Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY; and Laramie County Community College,
Paralegal Studies Program, Cheyenne, WY.
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REPORT
In August, 1973, the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association adopted the
Guidelines for the Approval of Legal Assistant Education Programs as recommended by the
Special Committee on Legal Assistants, now known as the Standing Committee on
Paralegals. The Committee subsequently developed supporting evaluative criteria and
procedures for seeking American Bar Association approval. Applications for approval were
accepted formally beginning in the Fall of 1974.
Programs applying for approval are required to submit a self-evaluation report which provides
a comprehensive description of the program, including but not limited to the following areas:
organization and administration, financial support, curriculum, faculty, admissions, student
services, advisory committee, library, and physical plant. An on-site visit to the program is
conducted by representatives of the Association if the contents of the self-evaluation report
indicate compliance with the ABA Guidelines.
For an initial approval, the inspection team is chaired by a member of the Approval
Commission of the Standing Committee on Paralegals, or a specially designated past
commissioner, and consists of a lawyer, an experienced paralegal or a director of another
institution’s program. On a reapproval visit, the team, which is again chaired by a member of
the Approval Commission, or a specially designated past commissioner, includes two of the
previously mentioned groups. The purpose of the on-site visit is to verify the information
provided in the self-evaluation report and to acquire supplementary information helpful to
making an evaluation and which can only be obtained through the person-to-person contact and
the observation the visit affords. The visit is conducted over a one and one-half day period and
consists of a series of meetings with the advisory committee, students, faculty and other
individuals involved to a lesser extent and in some aspect of the program, such as the registrar,
financial officer, placement coordinator and admissions and counseling staff. The team also
observes legal specialty classes in session and may inspect various program data, such as
detailed curriculum materials, admission and placement records, student evaluations of faculty
members, and courses.
Following the on-site visit a written report is prepared by team members. The Approval
Commission reviews the evaluation report and makes its recommendations to the Standing
Committee on Paralegals, which in turn, submits its recommendation to the American Bar
Association House of Delegates for final action.
The Standing Committee on Paralegals has completed review of the program identified below
and found it to be operating in compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal
Education Programs and is, therefore, recommending that approval be granted.
Bunker Hill Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Boston, MA
Bunker Hill Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the New
England Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Science
degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
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The following schools were recently evaluated for reapproval. Having demonstrated
compliance with the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs, the
Standing Committee on Paralegals recommends that reapproval be granted to the following
programs:
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Paralegal Studies Program, Fairbanks, AK
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a four-year university accredited by the Northwest
Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers an Associate of Applied Science
degree in Paralegal Studies.
Samford University, Division of Paralegal Studies, Birmingham, AL
Samford University is a four-year university accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Coastline Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Newport Beach, CA
Coastline Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree and a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
El Camino Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Torrance, CA
El Camino Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges. The college offers an Associate of Arts degree and a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
University of California Irvine, Paralegal Certificate Program, Irvine, CA
University of California Irvine is a four-year university accredited by the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
University of California San Diego, Legal Assistant Training Program, La Jolla, CA
University of California San Diego is a four-year university accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Vincennes University, Paralegal Program, Vincennes, IN
Vincennes University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree in Paralegal
Studies.
Sullivan University Louisville, Institute for Paralegal Studies, Louisville, KY
Sulllivan University Louisville is a four-year university accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers an Associate of Science degree, a
Bachelor of Science degree, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
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Baker College of Auburn Hills, Paralegal Program, Auburn Hills, MI
Baker College of Auburn Hills is a four-year college accredited by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Business degree and
a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
Eastern Michigan University, Paralegal Studies Program, Ypsilanti, MI
Eastern Michigan University is a four-year university accredited by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree and
a second Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
Henry Ford Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Dearborn, MI
Henry Ford Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Business
degree in Paralegal Studies.
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Paralegal Program, Moorhead, MN
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a four-year university accredited by the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree in
Paralegal Studies.
University of Southern Mississippi, Paralegal Studies Program, Hattiesburg, MS
University of Southern Mississippi is a four-year university accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Paralegal Studies.
University of Montana Missoula, Paralegal Studies Program, Missoula, MT
University of Montana Missoula is a four-year university accredited by the Northwest
Association of Schools and Colleges. The university offers an Associate of Applied Science
degree in Paralegal Studies.
Metropolitan Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Omaha, NE
Metropolitan Community College is a two-year community College accredited by the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
Brookdale Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Lincroft, NJ
Brookdale Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
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Fairleigh Dickinson University, Paralegal Studies Program, Madison, NJ
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a four-year university accredited by the Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Raritan Valley Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Somerville, NJ
Raritan Valley Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Genesee Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Batavia, NY
Genesee Community College is a two-year community college accredited by Middle States
Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science
degree in Paralegal Studies.
Capital University Law School, Law and Paralegal Programs, Columbus, OH
Capital University Law School is a four-year university and law school accredited by the
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university offers a Certificate in
Paralegal Studies and a Certificate in Legal Nurse Consulting.
Delaware County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Media, PA
Delaware County Community College is a two-year community college accredited by the
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of
Applied Science degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Paralegal Program, Orangeburg, SC
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is a two-year technical college accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Science degree in Paralegal Studies.
Technical College of the Low Country, Paralegal Program, Beaufort, SC
Technical College of the Low County is a two-year technical college accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied
Service degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Kaplan College, General Practice Paralegal Program, Dallas, TX
Kaplan College is a two-year college accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent
Colleges and Schools. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a
Certificate in Paralegal Studies.
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Applications for reapproval have been filed by the following schools and are currently
being evaluated. Until the evaluation process has been completed, the Committee
recommends that the term of approval for each program be extended until the 2016 Annual
Meeting of the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
Auburn University Montgomery, Paralegal Education Program, Montgomery, AL;
NorthWest Arkansas Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Bentonville,
AR;
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Legal Assistance/Paralegals Program, Fort
Smith, AR;
Cerritos College, Paralegal Program, Norwalk, CA;
Cuyamaca College, Paralegal Studies Program, El Cajon, CA;
John F. Kennedy University, Legal Studies Program, Pleasant Hill, CA;
Miramar College, Legal Assistant Program, San Diego, CA;
Mt. San Antonio College, Paralegal/Legal Specialty Program, Walnut, CA;
National University, Paralegal Studies Program, Los Angeles, CA;
San Francisco State University, Paralegal Studies Program, San Francisco, CA;
Santa Ana College, Paralegal Studies Program, Santa Ana, CA;
University of California UCLA Ext, Paralegal Training Program, Los Angeles, CA;
University of LaVerne, Legal Studies Program, LaVerne, CA;
West Valley College, Paralegal Program, Saratoga, CA;
Arapahoe Community College, Paralegal Program, Littleton, CO;
Norwalk Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Norwalk, CT;
Quinnipiac University, Legal Studies Program, Hamden, CT;
Georgetown University, Paralegal Studies Program, Washington DC;
Delaware Technical and Community College, Paralegal Technology Program,
Georgetown, DE;
Widener University Delaware Law School, Legal Education Institute, Wilmington,
DE;
Broward College, Legal Assisting Program, Pembroke Pines, FL;
Seminole State College of Florida fka Seminole Community College, Legal
Assistant/Paralegal Program, Sanford, FL;
South University, Legal Studies/Paralegal Studies Program, Royal Palm Beach, FL;
Athens Technical College, Paralegal Studies Program, Athens, GA;
South University, Legal Studies/Paralegal Studies Program, Savannah, GA;
Kirkwood Community College, Legal Assistant Program, Cedar Rapids, IA;
College of Lake County, Paralegal Studies Program, Grayslake, IL;
Northwestern College fka Northwestern Business College, Institute of Legal
Studies, Bridgeview, IL;
Roosevelt University, Paralegal Studies Program, Chicago, IL;
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Paralegal Studies Program, Carbondale,
IL;
William Rainey Harper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Palatine, IL;
Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University, Paralegal
Studies Program, Bowling Green, KY;
Morehead State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Morehead, KY;
University of Louisville, Paralegal Studies Program, Louisville, KY;
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Herzing University, Legal Assisting, Paralegal Studies Program, Kenner, LA;
Tulane University, Paralegal Studies Program, New Orleans, LA;
Oakland Community College, Paralegal Program, Farmington Hills, MI;
Oakland University, Paralegal Program, Rochester, MI;
Missouri Western State University, Legal Studies Program, St. Joseph, MO;
Mississippi University for Women, Legal Studies Program, Columbus, MS;
Central Piedmont Community College, Cato Campus, Paralegal Technology
Program, Charlotte, NC;
Middlesex County College, Legal Studies Department, Edison, NJ;
Montclair State University, Paralegal Studies Program, Montclair, NJ;
Suffolk County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Selden, NY;
Columbus State Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Columbus, OH;
Fortis College, Paralegal Program, Centerville, OH;
Sinclair Community College, Paralegal Program, Dayton, OH;
University of Cincinnati--Clermont, Paralegal Technology Program, Batavia, OH;
University of Toledo, Paralegal Studies Program, Toledo, OH;
Ursuline College, Legal Studies Program, Pepper Pike, OH;
Rose State College, Paralegal Studies Program, Midwest City, OK;
University of Oklahoma Law Center, Legal Assistant Education, Norman, OK;
Central Carolina Technical College, Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program, Sumter,
SC;
Greenville Technical College, Paralegal Program, Greenville, SC;
Midlands Technical College, Paralegal Program, Columbia, SC;
Kaplan Career College, Paralegal Studies Program, Nashville, TN;
South College, Legal Studies and Paralegal Studies Programs, Knoxville, TN;
Lee College, Paralegal Studies Program, Baytown, TX;
Salt Lake Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Salt Lake City, UT;
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Richmond,
VA;
Marymount University, Paralegal Studies Program, Arlington, VA;
Edmonds Community College, Paralegal Program, Lynnwood, WA;
Chippewa Valley Technical College, Paralegal Program, Eau Claire, WI;
Madison College, Paralegal Program, Madison, WI;
Western Technical College fka Western Wisconsin Technical College, Paralegal
Program, La Crosse, WI;
Casper College, Paralegal Studies Program, Casper, WY; and
Laramie County Community College, Paralegal Studies Program, Cheyenne, WY.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura C. Barnard, Chair
Standing Committee on Paralegals
February 2016
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GENERAL INFORMATION FORM
Submitting Entity:
Standing Committee on Paralegals
Submitted By:
Laura C. Barnard, Chair
1.
Summary of Resolution(s).
This Resolution recommends that the House of Delegates grant approval to one program,
grant reapproval to twenty-four paralegal education programs, withdraw the approval of
three programs at the request of the institutions, and extend the term of approval to sixtyseven paralegal education programs.
2.
Approval by Submitting Entity.
November, 2015
3.
Has this or a similar resolution been submitted to the House or Board
previously?
This resolution has not been previously submitted.
4.
What existing Association policies are relevant to this Resolution and how
would they be affected by its adoption?
This resolution supports the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal
Education Programs, as adopted by the House of Delegates.
5.
If this is a late report, what urgency exists which requires action at this meeting of the
House?
N/A
6.
Status of Legislation. (If applicable.)
N/A
7.
Brief explanation regarding plans for implementation of the policy, if adopted by the
House of Delegates.
Approved programs are notified of the action of the House of Delegates by the Standing
Committee on Paralegals. The programs are monitored for compliance during the
approval term by the Standing Committee.
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8.
Cost to the Association. (Both direct and indirect costs.)
None
9.
Disclosure of Interest. (If applicable.)
N/A
10.
Referrals.
None
11.
Contact Name and Address Information. (Prior to the meeting. Please include name,
address, telephone number and e-mail address.)
Peggy C. Wallace, Staff Counsel
Standing Committee on Paralegals
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 988-5618
E-Mail: peggy.wallace@americanbar.org
12.
Contact Name and Address Information. (Who will present the report to the House?
Please include name, address, telephone number, cell phone number and e-mail address.)
Laura C. Barnard
Chair, Business Department
Director, Paralegal Program
Lakeland Community College
7700 Clocktower Drive
Kirtland, OH 44094
(440) 525-7352
Cell: (517) 485-3232
E-Mail: lbarnard@lakelandcc.edu
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.
Summary of the Resolution
The Standing Committee on Paralegals requests that the House of Delegates
grant approval to one program, grant reapproval to twenty-four programs, withdraw the
approval of three programs, and extend the term of approval of sixty-seven programs.
2.
Summary of the Issue which the Resolution Addresses
The programs recommended for approval and reapproval in the enclosed report
meet the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.
3.
Please Explain How the Proposed Policy Position will address the issue
The programs recommended for approval and reapproval in this report have
followed the procedures required by the Association and are in compliance with
the Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.
4.
Summary of Minority Views
No other positions on this resolution have been taken by other Association
entities, affiliated organizations or other interested groups.
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