Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User conduct/Rules

This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. The RFC/U process has been discontinued as a result of this discussion. Other dispute resolution processes should be used for conduct issues.

Rules

Different RfCs have been run in different ways, but there are a few hard and fast rules:

• An RfC on user conduct MUST have the following in its structure:
  • A statement of the dispute, including an evidence section with diffs, and evidence of trying and failing to resolve the dispute.
  • A section for the subject's response.
  • A section for individual views from other editors.
  • A list of which editors endorse each of the above sections.

• The following is NOT permitted:
  • Personal attacks—but remember that the sole purpose at RFC/U is to "comment on the contributor", not on article content.
  • Comments that are neither a view, proposed solution (if using Template:RFC boilerplate 2) nor an endorsement. (All of those comments and replies belong on the talk page.)
  • Disagreement endorsements, threaded rebuttals to endorsements, or "oppose view" sections. Partial endorsements ("I agree with the first paragraph") are acceptable and encouraged when appropriate. Opposition to views can be expressed on the talk page, or by creating and endorsing a new view.
  • Changing the text of other people's statements or views. To remove your own comment or links, it is preferable to use strike-through notation, like this, instead of deleting it.
  • RfCs brought solely to harass or subdue an adversary. Repetitive, burdensome, or unwarranted filing of meritless RfCs is an abuse of the dispute resolution process.