User talk:School Archives

Hello, and welcome to Wikipedia!

I hope that I don't seem unfriendly or make you feel unwelcome, but I noticed your username, and I am concerned that it might not meet Wikipedia's username policy for the following reason: the username suggests that the account acts in an official capacity. After you look over that policy, could we discuss that concern here?

I'd appreciate learning your views, for instance, your reasons for wanting this particular name, and what alternative username you might accept that avoids raising this concern.

There are several options available to you:

We can talk about it, here.
You can abandon the contributions made under this name and create a new account that meets our username policy and addresses the concern(s) noted above.
Or, if you want to keep your contributions history under a new name, then you should visit Wikipedia:Changing username and follow the instructions there.

If we can't resolve this on our own, we can ask for help through Wikipedia's dispute resolution process, such as requesting comments from other Wikipedians. Wikipedia administrators usually abide by agreements reached through this process. Thanks.

Also, please be aware of our conflict of interest policy. You must be very careful if you intend to edit articles with which you have a direct real-world connection. -- Mufka ^(u) ^(t) ^(c) 11:06, 19 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hello, and thank you for your feedback. I didn't realize that my username might be in violation of the username policy. I looked over the policy, but if you hadn't pointed this out to me I would probably still think the name was okay. Is it because it implies that I have authority over wikipedia, or is it because it implies that I am acting in an official capacity and my edits might not be neutral? Would a name like Houston Historian carry the same concerns? I am actually the archivist for the Kinkaid School, and as an archivist I have an ethical responsibility to preserve the historical record to the best of my ability without putting my own spin on it. It seems to me that the code of ethics for archivists falls very much in line with wikipedia's mission, so I hope that we can resolve this. I believe I have some good information that could enrich wikipedia's entry on the school. I am happy to change my username if that would improve the situation, I just don't want to include my real name or the school's name. Would a name like jem6048 be acceptable? School Archives (talk) 20:21, 20 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I would also like to add that I came to Kinkaid as an archivist. I have only been here one year, and I am not an alum. School Archives (talk) 20:31, 20 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Names should refer to a person, not some other entity. Your current name could also imply that it is meant to be used by more than one person and that's not allowed. The name doesn't imply that you have authority over Wikipedia, but that you speak on behalf of the article's subject. Naturally, this only surfaces when you say that you are the archivist from Kinkaid, but that has already been done. Changing your name would be a good idea. Even with that done, you need to be very careful with WP:COI. Also you should become familiar with the policy on original research. Since you are a representative of the school (like it or not) your edits must be tempered in a manner that maintains a neutral point of view. It sounds like you are aware of all of this and intend to contribute objectively. If ever you have doubts about whether something you plan to contribute might be seen as biased, bring it up on the talk page first. -- Mufka ^(u) ^(t) ^(c) 21:14, 20 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you again; I will change the name. Would you suggest that I don't mention the fact that I am affiliated with Kinkaid? I would prefer to be as upfront about this as possible, and I would rather not hide the fact that I am a representative of the school.

Thank you for pointing out the unpublished research policy. I do not intend to add anything that is not considered common knowledge by those familiar with the school and has not already been published. Also, I will bring all edits up on the discussion page first before changing anything. One thing that jumped out at me right away is that the article claims that Field Day is the only annual event that the whole school participates in, which is simply not true. The school has held a Book Fair for the entire student body since the 1950s. I would, of course, put an exact date with that, but I'm at home right now and can't look it up.

Thanks again for your help. School Archives (talk) 11:48, 21 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The cat's already out of the bag. You need to be upfront about your relationship with the school. -- Mufka ^(u) ^(t) ^(c) 12:01, 21 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]