Walter Potter  wrote:
>
>Anyways, back to the point, yes, we are looking to set up a new list and kill
>the old list. But we want to move the membership minus the troublemakers. This
>has been requested by the majority of the members. In my opinion, we are not the
>"owners" as much as caretakers. But we need to find a happy medium between a
>democracy and dictatorship. A benevolent dictatorship.
>--
>Walter Potter  

As long as the troublesome users can make trouble thru your host university, creating a new list will not solve the problem.  The T'user can still claim rights violation about not being able to join the new list.  You will need to do a few things first:
1. Discuss a new list with by-laws proposal with the university to see if they will agree to support the list if the list abides its own by-laws.  You may need to grant the university veto power on the by-laws and any future by-laws changes.  Also discuss and get consensus on the by-laws in the current list.
2. Write the by-laws to cover (in some order):
  a. Purpose of the list
  b. Election of Owner(s)
  c. Etiquette and penalties for violation.  Spell this out clearly, including who or how a breach of etiquette is claimed, confirmed, and penalized.  A graduated scale of penalties may be appropriate as discussed in earlier postings on this topic.
  d. A by-law stating that subscription confirmation indicates accepting present and future by-laws.  (Can the message sent to the subscription applicant because of the Subscription=Open,Confirm  parameter be customized to include the by-laws with this by-law emphasized prior to confirmation?)
  e. How a vote quorum is defined, probably simple majority of votes cast within a set number of days possibly allowing for weekends and/or holidays.
  f. How changes to by-laws can be proposed, voted, and implemented.  Don't forget the university in this one.

Look at Robert's Rules of Order for ideas.  Assuming that the university agrees to back you, invite current subscribers to subscribe to the new list with the by-laws acceptance stipulation.  State that unsubscribing from the current list will be at the discretion and the responsibility of the subscriber.  You will need to allow ALL current subscribers the opportunity to subscribe with a "clean slate" to avoid any "rights violations" and then take action under the by-laws if necessary based only on compliance in the new list.  Send the invitation to the old list 2 or 3 times, and then turn the "flamin' list" back to the university or maybe over to the T'user and let 'im flame.

This method may also make it more likely for you to find a new host if the university is still unwilling.  Sorry this is so long, but good luck.

Don