Luke Chinman

Climate journalist Elizabeth Kolbert is less hopeful than ever

Luke Chinman • March 5, 2025

In her talk at Log Lunch last week, climate journalist Elizabeth Kolbert reflected on the environment and her lack of hope for the future — especially now.

AI is here to stay. Faculty are split on how to embrace it.

Luke Chinman • November 20, 2024

A Record survey and interviews with faculty found a diverse range of opinions on the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education.

This Week in Williams History: How campus reacted to presidential elections in 2000, 2008, 2016

Luke Chinman • November 6, 2024

"This Week in Williams History” is a column that looks back at memorable moments in the College’s past through articles in the Record. This week in history, the Record reported on the celebration and grief that followed the presidential elections in 2000, 2008, and 2016.

College creates new JA selection process to reduce burden on students

Luke Chinman • October 30, 2024

The College has replaced the Junior Advisor (JA) Selection Committee (SelCom) with a new JA selection process in an attempt to alleviate the administrative burden on student leaders. JAs will be able to volunteer to participate in the new process, though no other students will be invited to contribute.

A cult classic: Reading ‘The Secret History’ at Williams

Luke Chinman • October 23, 2024

Though there are certainly exaggerations — murderous Bacchanalia, for one — in a series of interviews with the Record, students and faculty said that Donna Tartt's novel captures an ounce of truth about the experience of attending a small liberal arts college in New England.

SJP vigil memorializes Palestinians killed in Gaza over last year

Lena Kerest and Luke Chinman • October 9, 2024

Roughly 60 community members gathered on the steps of Chapin Hall yesterday at a “Vigil for Palestine” organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). “This vigil is to commemorate the anniversary,...

A bite-sized history of vending machines at the College

Luke Chinman • October 2, 2024

The College's history with vending machines and inside look into the most-vended food and drinks on campus.

New owners of Tunnel City talk menu changes, local collaborations, and forthcoming sustainability efforts

Luke Chinman • September 25, 2024

The new owners of Tunnel City Coffee describe their experiences with the business so far.

It wasn’t just you. There were a lot of emergency alerts over the summer. Here’s why.

Luke Chinman • September 18, 2024

Amalio Jusino, the College’s director for emergency management, explains why students received so many emergency alerts this summer.

From white-out fundraiser to neon ‘borg’-fest: The decade-long history of Hoxsey’s ‘Sensations’

Luke Chinman and Emily Zas • May 8, 2024

On Saturday, Hoxsey Street was buzzing with students in neon clothing carrying gallon jugs full of mysterious liquids. The daytime party — the “darty” known colloquially as “Sensations” — is an annual event on the first Saturday of May. But the Record wanted to know more: When did the tradition begin, and why?

Phantom 500? More like Phantom 1,641.

Record survey sheds light on social connectedness across class year, major division, athletic status, semesters spent studying away

Luke Chinman, Emily Zas, and Haley Zimmerman • April 17, 2024

If you’re a student, it’s likely you heard about the Phantom 500 early in your time at the College. This week, the Record surveyed the entire student body to test the theory.

Administration remains confident despite small incoming JA cohort

Luke Chinman and Safiyah Anwar-Chuku • April 10, 2024

The Junior Advisor (JA) cohort to the Class of 2028 will comprise 35 students — the smallest cohort of JAs in recent years. Despite the small cohort and uncertainty surrounding the program in recent weeks following mass resignations from the Junior Advisor Advisory Board (JAAB) — a group of former and current JAs elected to train and support JAs — College administrators said they remain confident that they will be able to provide a full experience for first-years and JAs next year.

Majority of JAAB resigns as JAs call for increased support from administration

Luke Chinman and Safiyah Anwar-Chuku • March 13, 2024

Seven of eight student members of the Junior Advisor Advisory Board — a group of former and current Junior Advisors elected to train and support JAs — have resigned, following fallout from the College’s response to the passing of a student on Feb. 21, as well as years of declining interest in and criticism of the role.

Small fire in Mission causes minimal damage; CSS, fire department respond

Luke Chinman • March 6, 2024

Campus Safety and Security (CSS) officers and the Williamstown Fire Department extinguished a small fire in a dorm room on the second floor of Armstrong in Mission Park on Thursday, Feb. 29. The fire, caused by a cord left under a pile of clothes, damaged only the carpet of the dorm room, which has since been replaced by Facilities, Director for Emergency Management Amalio Jusino wrote in an email to the Record.

Comic’s ‘racist’ heckler claimed to be College employee

Luke Chinman and Palvasha Khan • February 28, 2024

A woman who identified herself as a College employee heckled Sammy Anzer, a traveling stand-up comedian, with comments he described as “racist” at his comedy show at Bright Ideas Brewing in North Adams on Feb. 3.

Syl Foisy ’24 defrosts ice sculpture tradition for this year’s Winter Carnival festivities

Luke Chinman • February 21, 2024

Though once a fixture of Winter Carnival, ice sculptures have been notably absent from the weekend’s festivities in recent years. This year, the tradition made a triumphant return.

Williamstown Theatre Festival shifts artistic leadership model following management shake-up

Luke Chinman • February 14, 2024

The Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) will shift to a “rotating collective artistic leadership model,” the organization announced in a press release on Feb. 8. Jenny Gersten will conclude her...

Nick Garlid ’25 launches The Art Seen digital gallery for student artists

Luke Chinman • February 7, 2024

The Art Seen, a new digital gallery, seeks to give student artists a glimpse of the professional art world.

Davis Center complex to reopen in February following two-year renovation

Luke Chinman, Palvasha Khan, and Izzy Polanco • January 24, 2024

The Davis Center is set to reopen next month, following nearly two years of expansion. The $27.5 million project included renovations to Jenness House and Rice House, as well as the construction of an additional, yet-to-be-named building to replace Hardy House and a bridge to connect the new building to Rice.

‘Free Food Alerts’ chat redistributes leftovers, hosts vibrant campus discourse for nearly a decade

Luke Chinman • December 6, 2023

Over the last decade, through various iterations and across multiple platforms, the Free Food Alerts group chat has become just that: a place for students at the College to, yes, shout out free food, but also to voice musings on life in general.

Honor and Discipline Committee, College contend with rising AI cases

Luke Chinman • December 6, 2023

Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, the Honor and Discipline Committee has seen an uptick in cases involving artificial intelligence (AI) usage.

Amid changing abortion landscape, Berkshire Doula Project evolves to meet community needs

Luke Chinman • November 29, 2023

Since its inception over seven years ago, BDP has been an ardent advocate for reproductive justice at the College. Today, it’s responding to the changing abortion landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision.

Onsite at the College’s offsite facility for library storage

Luke Chinman and Safiyah Anwar-Chuku • November 29, 2023

Off of Route 7, tucked between the Williamstown Police Station and a field of solar panels, a boxy concrete building sits on an unassuming side road. The LSF looks like a warehouse, and, in many ways, it is. Inside, stuffed on shelves that measure nearly 40 feet high, the College stores everything from back runs of academic journals to archival letters — essentially, everything in the College’s multimedia archives that does not fit inside the limited library storage on the College’s campus.

Over 100 community members gather at Rally for Palestinian Life, SJP announces revival

Luke Chinman • November 1, 2023

Over 100 community members gathered in front of the Paresky Center at a Rally for Palestinian Life on Oct. 25. Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which has existed intermittently at the College for over a decade, organized the event, during which members also announced the group’s revival.

Prof. Genesis Báez photographs intimacy in Whitney exhibit ‘Trust Me’

Luke Chinman • October 25, 2023

Photographs by Genesis Báez, a visiting lecturer in art at the College, are part of "Trust Me," a new Whitney exhibit that explores intimacy and connection.

This Week in Williams History: Fraternities throw party for visiting girls, WCFM incites false nuclear panic, College unveils Sawyer Quad renovation

Luke Chinman • October 25, 2023

Past issues of the Record describe celebrations of visiting female students, WCFM announced a false nuclear radiation threat on air and the College released plans for Sawyer Quad renovations.

Who uses the Writing Center?

Luke Chinman • October 18, 2023

The College’s Writing Center offers individual peer tutoring for writing across all academic disciplines. These data reflect how the service has been used this year.

‘A very unserious kind of stress’: Inside preparations for Mountain Day performances

Luke Chinman and Aluna Brogdon • October 18, 2023

Like fall foliage and the morning bells, student dance and musical performances are a hallmark of Mountain Day. But, given the uncertainty of its exact date and a quick turnaround for preparations, performance groups are under a time crunch to prepare for their showcases at the beloved College holiday.

Ben Washburne ’23 rows with Paralympic-qualifying national team, earns silver at World Rowing Championships

Luke Chinman • October 4, 2023

Ben Washburne '23 competed at the World Championships for Rowing, where his team qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralymic Games.

Town residents, students rally for climate action

Luke Chinman • September 27, 2023

Community members from the College and Town gathered at a rally in front of the First Congregational Church (FCC) on Sept. 20 to call for global climate action. The FCC organized the event in solidarity...

After an escapade to Toronto International Film Festival, Images Cinema directors talk fall film lineup

Luke Chinman • September 20, 2023

Images Cinema directors discuss favorite films seen at Toronto International Film Festival that they hope to bring to Williamstown this fall.

Leaders, first-years, feel effects of shortened WOOLF trips

Luke Chinman and Aluna Brogdon • September 20, 2023

When the directors and leaders of Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years (WOOLF) learned that this year’s program would be shortened from four days to three, many felt frustrated. “I...

The College’s 2024 fiscal year budget, explained

Luke Chinman and Izzy Polanco • July 1, 2023

The College’s 2024 fiscal year began on July 1. The Record explains five takeaways from the this year’s budget.

Honor and Discipline Committee votes on bylaws to formalize procedures

Past and current members voice broader concerns about lack of sanction consistency

Luke Chinman • May 10, 2023

Voting is underway for members of the Honor and Discipline Committee to adopt a set of bylaws intended to formalize the committee’s internal processes. While the committee already follows a set of procedures to enforce the College’s Honor Code, the proposed bylaws will help ensure year-to-year consistency by putting the procedures in writing, said Simon Kent ’23, a member of the Honor and Discipline Committee who spearheaded a working group to write the document.

College to use Dorm Room Movers, Connors Brothers services for summer storage

Luke Chinman • May 10, 2023

The College will partner with Dorm Room Movers to provide storage services for students this summer. Dorm Room Movers — a national company that coordinates storage for students around the country — will contract with the College’s longtime storage partner Connors Brothers to manage moving and storing student possessions on site. Connors Brothers will manage moving and storing items, while Dorm Room Movers will manage customer service and billing, Assistant Director of Housing Operations Heather McCarthy told the Record.

Dean of the College Gretchen Long forms ad hoc committee to study academic integrity

Luke Chinman and Julia Goldberg • May 3, 2023

Dean of the College Gretchen Long has established a committee that will consider academic integrity at the College. The Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Integrity, which Long will chair, will comprise faculty members from every division. It will convene for the first time in the coming weeks and meet regularly for roughly a year, after which Long expects to share the committee’s findings with the community.

Board of Trustees approves budget, operating expenses increase by 3.4 percent

Luke Chinman and Izzy Polanco • April 26, 2023

The Board of Trustees approved the College’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year at its quarterly meeting last week, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an email to the College community on Thursday.

Faculty approve changes to chemistry major intended to increase accessibility

Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023

Faculty approved changes to the chemistry major’s four-course introductory sequence — with 61 voting in favor, zero not in favor, and one abstaining — during the faculty meeting on April 12. The changes, which will be implemented for the 2023-2024 academic year, are designed to better accommodate incoming students with a minimal chemistry background.

Last in the housing lottery, first in OCL’s heart: The history of the Cawamayday Award

Emily Zas and Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023

In 2003, four students established the "Cawamayday Cup" — an award given to the group of students assigned the last pick number in the housing lottery. Though the prize has been discontinued in recent years, previous recipients remember it fondly.

Stars — they’re (named) just like us: Celebrity name-sharers at the College

Luke Chinman • April 19, 2023

The Record spoke to three students who share names with celebrities; each wrote a statement about their experiences holding high-profile names on campus.

Twins at the College discuss not-so-identical experiences

Luke Chinman • April 12, 2023

Identical twins Phoebe Price ’25 and Zoe Price ’25 did not tell each other where they were applying throughout the college application process — until admission decisions were announced and they realized that they shared a first choice school. The Price twins’ story is not unlike those of other twins at the College.

Prof. Aldarondo revisits adolescence in documentary You Were My First Boyfriend

Luke Chinman • April 12, 2023

Cecilia Aldarondo shared the meaning and process behind her documentary You Were My First Boyfriend, which screened at Images on Thursday, April 6.

Two-sport athletes describe unique recruitment, balancing schedules, dual community

Luke Chinman • March 15, 2023

Two-sport athletes spoke to the Record about their experiences being on two varsity teams at the College.

Professor Julie Cassiday lectures on Russian masculinities, connection to war in Ukraine

Safiyah Anwar-Chuku and Luke Chinman • March 8, 2023

Professor of Russian Julie Cassiday delivered a lecture last Thursday that connected shifting cultural trends of Russian gender and sexuality to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Cassiday presented research from her book Russian Style: Performing Gender in Putin’s Russia, which is slated to come out this November.

Tropical Edge explores colonial histories in the Philippines

Luke Chinman and Margaux Kanamori • March 8, 2023

Original student-written play will premiere on March 9, featuring an all-Asian cast and crew.

Cat caretakers clash with College over future for feral felines

Luke Chinman • March 1, 2023

For seven years, former Town Clerk Mary Kennedy has looked after 10 feral cats living behind Jesup Hall. When the College asked her to relocate the felines, Kennedy sprang into action, campaigning for the cats to stay.

Moo-ved for the winter: Uncovering the mystery of the Stone Hill cows

Luke Chinman and Ella Askew • February 22, 2023

For the majority of the year, a herd of roughly 20 cows grazes the fields behind the Clark Art Institute at Stone Hill. These cows, who spend the warmer months roaming the meadow, are well known throughout the Williamstown community.

Which water fountains on campus have filled the most water bottles?

Luke Chinman, Emily Zas, and Haley Zimmerman • February 22, 2023

The Record surveyed the on-campus water bottle fillers that display the number of bottles filled and ranked the most and least used by their counts as of Feb. 21.

In Other Ivory Towers: Stanford newspaper alleges president committed scientific misconduct

Luke Chinman • February 22, 2023

Marc Tessier-Lavigne, the president of Stanford University, is facing intense scrutiny following allegations of scientific misconduct. According to a series of reports by The Stanford Daily, the university’s student newspaper, multiple scientific journals are investigating Tessier-Lavigne for altering images in his research and members of a biotechnology company have accused him of covering up previous allegations of fraud.

In Other Ivory Towers: Conn. College students call for president’s resignation after controversial fundraiser

Luke Chinman • February 15, 2023

Students at Connecticut College are calling for President Katherine Bergeron’s resignation following a week of contention over the college’s plans to hold a fundraiser at a controversial private country club. Rodmon King, the Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, resigned on Feb. 7, the day before the fundraiser was scheduled.

Lines, vouchers, and textbooks: The history of the book grant

Luke Chinman and Emily Zas • February 8, 2023

While some students today pay full price for their textbooks, many others receive a book grant from the College that covers the full cost of all necessary course materials. The Record reports on the history of the book grant — from the 1914 Memorial Library, to a book voucher system, and then a final shift to the grant system as it exists today.

Arshay Cooper gives morning Claiming Williams Keynote

Luke Chinman and Lena Kerest • February 8, 2023

Arshay Cooper, a rower, author, and motivational speaker, as well as the subject of the documentary A Most Beautiful Thing, presented the morning keynote for Claiming Williams on Feb. 3. This year, the event's theme was “Justice & Institutional Power,” and the morning keynote was co-sponsored by the College’s Athletic Department, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Allyship in Athletics (AIA) committee.

Students reflect on a semester in new TAPSI housing communities

Luke Chinman • January 25, 2023

For the 2022-2023 academic year, the College approved four Theme/Affinity/Program/Special Interest (TAPSI) housing proposals. After a semester, the Record spoke to students living in the Williams Interfaith Dialogue House, the International House, the Sustainable Living Community, the Eban House — which is for Black affinity housing — about their experiences.

One in Two Thousand: Tommy Goodwin ’25

Luke Chinman • January 25, 2023

This week, Tommy Goodwin ’25 discussed Where Am I?!, the wrestling team, and his love for Mariah Carey.

Cap & Bells presents Next to Normal

Luke Chinman • December 7, 2022

Last weekend Cap & Bells presented Next to Normal. The rock-musical follows a mother with a worsening case of bipolar disorder and details the effects of her mental illness on her immediate family.

QSU, nonbinary students react to new gender-neutral bathrooms on campus, call for more trans inclusion

Luke Chinman and Emily Swope • November 16, 2022

As a result of conversations with Queer Student Union last year, the College has changed the designation of some bathrooms on campus from gendered to gender-neutral.

Transfer students reflect on creating community at the College

Luke Chinman and Catherine Debenham • November 9, 2022

The Record spoke to four students who transferred last year about their experiences before Williams, their transitions to life at the College, and how they’ve found community despite their nontraditional college paths.

Windows On Williams: Prospective students engage with College community through fly-in program

Luke Chinman and Safiyah Anwar-Chuku • November 2, 2022

Windows on Williams is a three-day fly-in program for low-income students to shadow current students by sleeping in their dorms, attending classes, and engaging with the College community. The Record spoke with WOW students, hosts, and administration about their experiences.

Student organizations mobilize ahead of midterm elections

Luke Chinman • October 26, 2022

Various student organizations, including EphVotes, a nonpartisan voter-outreach organization, have mobilized ahead of the upcoming midterm election to promote student participation in local and state government.

One in Two Thousand: Grace Reynolds ’22.5

Luke Chinman • October 19, 2022

Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Grace Reynolds ’22.5 discussed her neuroscience thesis, her plans after graduation, and how she likes to spend her time outside in Williamstown. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

College launches carbon emissions information program for air travel

Luke Chinman • October 5, 2022

The College implemented the Air Travel Greenhouse Gas Emissions Information & Reduction Program, an initiative directed at reducing carbon emissions from College-related air travel, on Oct. 1. Travelers who have booked air travel using College funds will now receive monthly emails from the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives with information about the greenhouse gas emissions from their flights, estimated climate damages as a result of the emissions, and strategies to reduce future emissions due to air travel.

New York State Teacher of the Year Billy Green ’03 reflects on time at the College, transformational teachers

Luke Chinman • October 5, 2022

Williams alum Billy Green ’03 was recently named the 2023 New York State Teacher of the Year. He spoke to the Record about his experience at the College and the teachers who guided him throughout his education.

We’re laughing too hard to worry, darling: Drama drives Images crowd

Luke Chinman • September 28, 2022

Campus was already abuzz with discussion and anticipation before the lights dimmed for the 7:30 p.m. showing of Don’t Worry Darling at Images Cinema on Friday night. Plagued by controversy ahead of its release, Olivia Wilde’s latest psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles drew more laughs than gasps from an audience of College students entrenched in the film’s pre-release drama.

‘Best of both worlds’: BASE CAMPus gives WOOLFies an alternate orientation experience to overnight camping

Luke Chinman • September 28, 2022

Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years, known more commonly as WOOLF, is the College’s oldest and most popular EphVenture program, typically a backpacking and overnight camping trip through the Berkshires wilderness. Last year, however, the Williams Outing Club (WOC) added a new option to the EphVenture: BASE CAMPus, where students sleep in their dorms and hike with their fellow first-years over four days.

‘What Am I Doing?’: Behind the makeshift orientation for 17 EphVenture-less frosh

Luke Chinman • September 21, 2022

A small cohort of first-years arrived to campus this year with no EphVenture assignment, and a makeshift program — which would lovingly be named “What Am I Doing?” by its leaders and participants — was born.

This week in Williams history: An end to compulsory chapel service, College welcomes women, students embark on first WOOLF trips

Grady Short and Luke Chinman • September 21, 2022

This week in Williams history: The Trustees of the College decided to make daily chapel services voluntary rather than mandatory. Male students reacted to the onset of coeducation. And the newly arrived Class of 1981 returned from trips in the Berkshire, Taconic, and Green Mountains on the first-ever WOOLF trips.

Clubs make comeback after pandemic year

Luke Chinman • May 11, 2022

While the College's COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings caused many clubs to stop meeting all together, these clubs were able to make a comeback this year.

Students create environmental time capsule, host discussion about future of climate change

Luke Chinman • May 4, 2022

On Thursday, students and professors gathered on the steps of the Class of ’66 Environmental Center to discuss the future of climate change and fill a time capsule with students’ personal statements, quotations from the event, and other climate-related materials. Organized by Sabrine Brismeur ’22.5 and Isabel Kelly ’23 for their environmental studies course, “Communicating Climate Change,” the event brought together faculty from the environmental studies, theatre, and classics departments for an interdisciplinary conversation.

From an idea to the classroom: The making of the annual course catalog

Luke Chinman • May 4, 2022

Professors and administrators provide an inside look at the inception, development, and approval of the new courses that populate the Williams course catalog.

Entrymates skate into spring, forming new student group

Luke Chinman • April 20, 2022

As a Williamstown winter melts into spring, some students have found a creative way to enjoy the warm weather. One such group is Ephskate, the College’s new roller-skating group.

Mandel releases public statement on fossil fuel investment plan, divestment organizers celebrate

Julia Goldberg and Luke Chinman • April 13, 2022

The College plans to end all indirect investments tied to the fossil fuel industry by 2033, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an all-campus email on Friday, prompting celebration from divestment organizers and confusion from some other students.

Introducing Purplexity: The College’s new a capella group

Luke Chinman • March 16, 2022

Throughout their first year at the College, Molly Arts ’24 and Sarah Lindeman ’24 discussed starting a new a cappella group on campus. “We always loved singing and would go down to the Mission...

After three years, Maplefest returns in full to Hopkins Forest

Luke Chinman and Amina Naidjate • March 16, 2022

Maplefest, which has been open to the Berkshire community nearly every March since its conception, was canceled in 2020 and restricted to only students in 2021 because of the ongoing pandemic. This year, Maplefest made its full return on Sunday, March 13.

‘A tribute to winter’: Winter Carnival’s century-long history

Luke Chinman • February 16, 2022

The annual Winter Carnival was first held in 1915 and has since then hosted a slew of Williams traditions, ranging from ice sculpture competitions to residential house banquets.

One in Two Thousand: Rika Yahashiri ’25

Luke Chinman • February 9, 2022

This week, the computer (using a script in R) chose Rika Yahashiri ’25, who discussed her role as social calendar writer, the swim and dive team, and her semester abroad in Japan.

Astronomy professor, students view eclipse over Antarctica

Luke Chinman • January 26, 2022

In the early morning of Dec. 4, 2021, Chair and Professor of Astronomy Jay Pasachoff, along with students Peter Knowlton ’21.5 and Anna Tosolini ’23, flew over Antarctica in a chartered Boeing 787. For just under two tense minutes, they took photos out of the plane windows with borrowed Nikon cameras from the College library, capturing a total solar eclipse.

Staff Spotlight: Special Collections Librarian Anne Peale shares love of book history

Luke Chinman • December 8, 2021

Anne Peale works as the Special Collections librarian in Sawyer. As Special Collections librarian — a role she has held for nearly five years — her responsibilities include cataloguing new sources acquired by the College, helping classes access documents, answering reference questions related to the collection, and reshelving books.

‘Underdog’ Williams debate team garners attention, awards in standout season

Luke Chinman • November 3, 2021

Now attending competitions on Discord, the Williams College Debate Union is having its best season in decades. The Record spoke with students on the team about what this recent success has meant to them.

Seven Sashas start Sasha Student Union

Luke Chinman and Lamia Haque • October 27, 2021

The Sasha Student Union (SSU) is an unofficial club at the College and has seven members — six first-years named Sasha and one senior named Sasha.

Luke Chinman, Managing Editor

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