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naming names policy
'''THIS PAGE IS A DRAFT OF WIKI POLICY. It is a work in progress, and has no force until approved by the [[Willipedia board]], and cannot be edited by normal users.'''
This page contains an overview of the policies by which Willipedia is guided. These policies have evolved out of necessity, and are revised and administered by the [[Willipedia board]], which also arose out of necessity.
=== Criticism of Professors ===
This is a unique policy. Opinions Opinion on professors is very much of general interest, and is certainly a part of the Williams consciousnes. It is in all ways fair game for Willipedia, but for a few reasons we make a special exception.
[http://wso.williams.edu/factrak Factrak] is a WSO service that is specially dedicated to researching and reviewing professors. It is older than Willipedia, and has gone through a history of revisions to be useful to students, fair to professors, and allowed by the administration. We must ask that you comment there on Williams professors, and not on Willipedia -- though you may certainly write here about [[departments]] and [[classes]] at Williams.
=== Things That Ruin People's Lives ===
'''Naming individuals negatively.''' Articles on controversial subjects and events are permissible, but their importance is unlikely to depend upon the names of those involved or implicated in them, while the health of Willipedia (not to mention [[common courtesy]]) may depend on not naming them.
Don't shy from writing about a controversial subject if you feel it is important, but do take greater care in doing so. '''Don't name names if you think the people involved would prefer that their involvement be forgotten.'''
Do a little more research, polish your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Stub stub] a little more before posting it, and take the time to communicate the facts in a way that compels without depending on the names.
Willipedia content is best when informative and entertaining, and the pursuit of these goals, in balance, will be a large and great project. In theory, one day, a voluminous and stable Willipedia with many contributors might be able to survive, even benefit from, controversial articles that tell everything like it was. That day is not come. Willipedia will never reach its full potential if it does not stay ''beloved'' as it develops, if it does not remain something that the Williams community sees as of itself, something that we wish to nurture. This fact seperates this project from official records, personal blogs, and newspapers -- even a [[Record|campus newspaper]].
=== Things That Will Get Us Sued or Shut Down ===
You might be surprised at the kind of attention that a humble site like Willipedia has managed to attract. Remember that all included on Willipedia is publicly accessible, included on web searches, and governed by applicable United States law. Willipedia articles, therefore, cannot include:
* [http://dictionary.law.com/default2.asp?selected=1153&bold=%7C%7C%7C%7C Libel]
* Copyrighted material
* Incitements to break the law or campus policy
