Arbitration Committee/History

The history of ArbCom.

Conception

On October 1, 2003, RK threw a temper tantrum on the wiki and on the WikiEn-1 mailing list. This was apparently the result of a misunderstanding. In a fit of rage, RK vandalized the userpages of MyRedDice ([1], [2]), Angela ([3]), and Louis Kyu Won Ryu ([4]). When Eloquence commanded RK to stop, RK vandalized Eloquence's user page as well. Eloquence wasn't amused and blocked RK's account.

The story doesn't end there, however. The incidence led to an argument about bans, and Eloquence suggested a Wikiquette committee. Jimbo Wales liked Eloquence's idea and started a discussion about it. During the discussion, Alex756 suggested two different approaches to resolving conflicts: mediation and arbitration. On October 3, 2003, Jimbo Wales asked for volunteers for a Mediation Committee (MedCom) and an Arbitration Committee (ArbCom). On October 7th, Alex756 published Wikipedia:Mediation_and_Arbitration_(proposal) at the request of another user.

Meanwhile, EntmootsOfTrolls (aka 142) hijacked Eloquence's "User:Mediator" idea: http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikien-l/2003-October/007403.html.

2004

2004-01

On December 4, 2003, Jimbo appoint the first ArbCom and MedCom. Jimbo also selected Eloquence to be an ArbCom member, but Eloquence declined the offer.

On February 26, 2004, UninvitedCompany resigned from ArbCom due to disillusionment.

• Jdforrester
• UninvitedCompany – Resigned 2004-02-26.
• The Cunctator

• Fred Bauder
• Delirium
• Maveric149
• Camembert

• Gutza
• MyRedDice
• Nohat
• The Epopt

2004-08

On July 6, 2004, Mike Snow suggested an election in order to fill the empty seats left by Eloquence and UninvitedCompany. On July 23rd, Ambi forwarded Snow's suggestion to the Wikipedia-1 mailing list and Jimbo agreed. Elections were held, and Jwrosenzweig and Raul654 were elected.

• Jdforrester – Failed in December 2004 election bid.
• Raul654
• The Cunctator – Failed in December 2004 election bid.
• Jwrosenzweig

• Fred Bauder
• Delirium
• Maveric149
• Camembert – Resigned 2004-12-31.

• Gutza – Resigned 2004-12-31.
• MyRedDice – Resigned 2004-12-31.
• Nohat
• The Epopt

2005

2005-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2004 – Raul654 is reelected. Theresa knott, Ambi, Sannse, Neutrality, and Grunt are elected to replace Jdforrester (who failed to become reelected), The Cunctator, Jwrosenzweig, Camembert (who retired), Gutza (who resigned), and MyRedDice (who resigned).

In June and July 2005, Grunt, Ambi, and Delirium resigned. Nohat also announced his or her intentions to resign apparently due to disillusionment, but Jimbo doesn't appoint a replacement for Nohat until October 2005.

• Ambi – Resigned 2005-06-29.
• Raul654 (second term)
• Sannse
• Neutrality

• Fred Bauder
• Delirium – Resigned 2005-07-22.
• Maveric149
• David Gerard

• Grunt – Resigned 2005-07-22.
• Theresa knott
• Nohat – Announced intentions to resign 2005-07-20.
• The Epopt

2005-07

On July 22, 2005, Jimbo appointed Jdforrester, Fennec, and Jayjg to fill the empty seats left by Ambi, Delirium, and Grunt. Jimbo doesn't appoint a replacement for Nohat until October 2005. Jimbo's choices caused some controversy: [5], [6].

On September 26, 2005, Maveric149 announced his or her intentions to resign from ArbCom.

• Jdforrester (second term, appointed by Jimbo)
• Raul654
• Sannse
• Neutrality

• Fred Bauder
• Fennec (appointed by Jimbo)
• Maveric149 – Resigned 2005-10-11.
• David Gerard

• Jayjg (appointed by Jimbo)
• Theresa knott
• Nohat – Resigned 2005-10-11.
• The Epopt

2005-10

On October 11, 2005, Jimbo appointed Mindspillage and Kelly Martin to fill the empty seats left by Maveric149 and Nohat.

On November 4, 2005, Sannse resigned due to health-related issues.

On January 12, 2006, Kelly Martin resigned due to personal reasons.

• Jdforrester
• Raul654
• Sannse – Resigned 2005-11-04
• Neutrality

• Fred Bauder
• Fennec
• Mindspillage (appointed by Jimbo)
• David Gerard

• Jayjg
• Theresa knott
• Kelly Martin (appointed by Jimbo) – Resigned 2006-01-12
• The Epopt

2006

2006-02

On October 20, 2005, Jimbo Wales changed the election process. According to Jimbo's proposal, candidates would be selected by Jimbo and then confirmed by the community via a vote. This sparked heavy debate and two polls:

• wikipedia:Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2005/Archive#Comment
• http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikien-l/2005-October/031341.html
• wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_January_2006/Straw_poll/Old_poll
• wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_January_2006/Straw_poll

The first poll resulted in overwhelming support for elections (51 !votes) rather than appointments (17 !votes). On December 2, 2005, Jimbo overwritten the original poll with a new one and claimed that the original poll misrepresented his plan. On December 14th, Jimbo declared his second proposal as the winner.

On January 23, 2006, Jimbo announced the winners. Jimbo increased the size of ArbCom from twelve members to fifteen members. This increase allowed Jdforrester, Fred Bauder, and Jayjg to serve new terms on ArbCom, even though Fred Bauder and Jayjg came in twelfth place and fifteenth place, respectively. Mindspillage is elected to a second term. The election introduced seven newcomers to ArbCom: Filiocht, Charles Matthews, Morven, Simon P., Dmcdevit, Sam Korn, and Mackensen.

On February 7, 2006, Filiocht went on a wikibreak that became infinite. Filiocht didn't participate in any Arbitration-related matters after being elected.

On February 19, 2006, the newly-elected Mackensen resigned for personal reasons. Mackensen's seat remained empty for the rest of 2006.

On December 8, 2006, Mindspillage resigned after being appointed to the WMF's Board of Trustees.

• SimonP
• Raul654
• Dmcdevit
• Neutrality
• Fred Bauder (second term)

• Jdforrester (third term)
• Filiocht – Indefinite leave of absence 2006-02-19.
• Mindspillage (second term) – Resigned 2006-12-08
• Charles Matthews
• Morven

• Jayjg (second term)
• Theresa knott
• Sam Korn
• The Epopt
• Mackensen – Resigned 2006-02-19

2007

2007-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2006 – Flcelloguy, Kirill Lokshin, Paul August, UninvitedCompany, Jpgordon are elected. Jimbo also stated that Mindspillage and Filiocht could return to ArbCom at any time.

On February 14, 2007, Dmcdevit resigned in order to have more time to perform more useful activities.

• SimonP
• Raul654
• Dmcdevit – Resigned 2007-02-14.
• Neutrality
• Fred Bauder

• Jdforrester
• YellowMonkey
• FloNight
• Charles Matthews
• Morven

• Flcelloguy
• Kirill Lokshin
• Paul August
• UninvitedCompany (second term)
• Jpgordon

2007-02

On February 23, 2007, Jimbo appoints Mackensen as Dmcdevit's replacement, and he creates a sixteenth seat for Essjay to fill. Essjay was now at the zenith of his power and influence, but the foundations of his power started crumbling a month earlier. On January 11, 2006, the Wikipedia Review found Essjay's Wikia userpage and real name, and they were quick to discover that Essjay was a fraud. Daniel Brandt was the first to confront Essjay on Wikipedia, and by February 1st, average Wikipedians started to seek the truth as well.

On March 4, 2007, Essjay retired from Wikipedia and resigned from ArbCom.

On May 29, 2007, Flcelloguy published his last message on Wikipedia.

• SimonP
• Raul654 – Failed in December 2007 reelection bid.
• Mackensen
• Neutrality
• Fred Bauder
• Essjay – Resigned 2007-03-04.

• Jdforrester
• YellowMonkey
• FloNight
• Charles Matthews
• Morven

• Flcelloguy – Indefinite leave of absence 2007-05-29.
• Kirill Lokshin
• Paul August
• UninvitedCompany
• Jpgordon

2008

2008-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2007 – Raul654 failed to be reelected. Newyorkbrad, FT2, FayssalF, Sam Blacketer, Deskana, and Stephen Bain are elected, while FloNight's term is extended by one year.

On April 29, 2008, Newyorkbrad retired from Wikipedia and resigned from ArbCom due to Daniel Brandt.

On August 14, 2008, Newyorkbrad returned and was reinstated as an active Arbitrator.

On August 21, 2008, Paul August resigned from ArbCom and gave a farewell address.

On September 23, 2008, UninvitedCompany resigned from ArbCom.

On October 19, 2008, Jimbo extended Stephen Bain's term by one year.

On December 17, 2008, Deskana announced his or her intentions to resign at the end of the year due to inactivity and health-related issues.

• Newyorkbrad – Resigned 2008-04-29. Reinstated 2008-08-14.
• FT2
• FayssalF
• Sam Blacketer
• Deskana – Resigned 2008-12-31.

• Jdforrester
• YellowMonkey
• Stephen Bain
• Charles Matthews – Failed in December 2008 reelection bid.
• Morven

• FloNight
• Kirill Lokshin
• Paul August – Resigned 2008-08-21.
• UninvitedCompany – Resigned 2008-09-23.
• Jpgordon

2009

2009-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2008 – ArbCom is expanded from fifteen members to eighteen members. Vassyana, Carcharoth, Wizardman, Casliber, Risker, Roger Davies, Cool Hand Luke, Rlevse, John Vandenberg, and Coren are elected.

On January 15, 2009, FT2 stepped down from ArbCom in the middle of a scandal.

On May 20, 2009, Sam Blacketer privately Emailed ArbCom in order to inform his colleagues of his intentions to resign quietly. On May 21st, however, tarantino of the Wikipedia Review made it known that he had uncovered Sam Blacketer's true identity and stated, "I'll give Sam a chance to respond here [on the Wikipedia Review] or there [on Wikipedia]. He seems to be mostly harmless now." On May 23rd, Sam Blacketer chose the latter of the two options tarantino presented to him. Sam Blacketer resigned from ArbCom and publicly acknowledged Fys as one of his past accounts. On the same day, Jehochman deleted the Wikipedia article on Sam Blacketer after a deletion discussion that lasted less than 24 hours.

On September 30, 2009, Casliber admitted that he or she knew that "Law" was a sockpuppet of "The undertow". Casliber then started a poll in order to gauge the community's confidence in him or her. On October 1st, Casliber retired.

On December 2, 2009, John Vandenberg resigned due to David Gerard.

• Newyorkbrad
• FT2 – Stepped down 2009-01-15
• FayssalF
• Sam Blacketer – Resigned 2009-05-23
• Vassyana
• Carcharoth
• Wizardman
• John Vandenberg – Resigned 2009-12-02

• Casliber – Resigned 2009-10-01
• Risker
• Roger Davies
• Cool Hand Luke
• Rlevse

• FloNight
• Kirill Lokshin
• Stephen Bain
• Coren

2010

2010-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2009 – SirFozzie, Hersfold, KnightLago, Shell Kinney, Steve Smith, Fritzpoll, and Kirikk Lorshin are elected, and Coren is reelected.

On February 2, 2010, Fritzpoll resigned from ArbCom and retired from Wikipedia.

On May 8, 2010, Wizardman resigned, citing dissatisfaction.

On May 13, 2010, Hersfold resigned, citing inactivity.

On October 31, 2010, Rlevse retired from Wikipedia due to a scandal concerning plagiarism. Rlevse later returned as "PumpkinSky".

On November 25, 2010, Steve Smith resigned.

• Newyorkbrad
• SirFozzie
• FayssalF
• Hersfold – 2010-05-13
• KnightLago
• Vassyana
• Carcharoth
• Wizardman – Resigned 2010-05-08
• Shell Kinney

• Steve Smith – Resigned 2010-11-25
• Risker
• Roger Davies
• Cool Hand Luke
• Rlevse – Retired 2010-10-31

• Fritzpoll – Resigned 2010-02-18
• Kirill Lokshin
• Mailer diablo
• Coren (second term)

2011

2011-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2010

In June & July 2011, poster Maliceaforethought began posting leaks of emails to the Arbitration mailing list to the Wikipedia Review Much hilarity ensued. The emails revealed Arbcom's inner workings and discussed banning admins such as Slim Virgin FT2 Durova and Rodhullandemu

• Newyorkbrad
• SirFozzie
• Casliber
• Elen of the Roads
• Xeno
• David Fuchs
• PhilKnight
• Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry
• Iridescent

• John Vandenberg
• Risker
• Roger Davies
• Cool Hand Luke
• Jclemens

• Shell Kinney
• Kirill Lokshin
• Mailer diablo
• Coren

2012

2012-01

wikipedia:Wikipedia:Arbitration_Committee_Elections_December_2011

• Newyorkbrad
• SirFozzie
• Casliber
• Elen of the Roads
• Xeno
• David Fuchs
• PhilKnight
• Jclemens

• Courcelles
• Risker
• Roger Davies
• Hersfold
• AGK
• SilkTork
• Kirill Lokshin

See also

• Template:Arbcomhistory – The data on this page as a table.

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