UDWiki:Moderation/Policy Discussion/Moderators and Sysops
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What Is A Moderator
The dictionary defines a moderator as someone who presides over disputing or debating parties and attempts to mediate between them. This presents them as a neutral party, there to maintain order and civil debate. There has been debate (civil and otherwise) over whether that is the responsibility of moderators here on the wiki. Many mods don't view themselves as here to resolve interpersonal issues but instead just charged with maintaining pages and reverting vandalism. Clearly someone shouldn't need to be a mediator if they simply want to give back to the wiki with their technical know-how. And I think that actual moderators, per the dictionary term, are necessary to smooth some of the more acrimonious arguments that can erupt and to preside over arbitration so that no charge of bias can stand.
I propose splitting up the current group of moderators into two positions: Sysops and Mods.
Responsibility of the Sysop
The Sysop is a maintenance position. Their responsibilities include:
- Maintaining pages.
- Reverting vandalism.
- Warning/banning vandals.
Responsibility of the Moderator
The Moderator is a maintenance and mediation position. Their responsibilities include:
- All those of the Sysop.
- Arbitration, along with the rest of the community.
- Mediation between arguing parties prior to arbitration.
- Proactive involvement in discussions to keep them productive and help prevent conflict before it starts.
Moderators would be held to a higher standing than Sysops.
- Moderators must keep their language PG-13.
- Moderators may debate their own personal point of view but can never use personal insults.
- Moderators may not publicly express an overall opinion of any user (Bill is a lazy bastard) though they may give constructive criticism to individual ideas, actions projects created by users (Bill hasn't done a lot of work recently).
- Moderators must maintain a polite attitude at all times, regardless of the behavior of those they speak to.
- Moderators must be willing to recuse themselves when the situation does not allow them to have an objective attitude.
Who'd Become What
All curent moderators could choose whether they'd rather be Sysops or Moderators. Moderators would keep "mod" in their signature. Sysops would get rid of "mod" and put in "sysop". Sysops could become moderators at any time but they'd be expected to stay a moderator for at least a month before switching back. Only sysops with a reputation for civility and little baggage in the way of past arguments should become moderators.
Thank you! Please discuss.
