One variation you might try to reign in the list is to enlist the help of some of the responsible "senior" members of the list. Write them privately and say that you're concerned that things are out of hand and that you want to improve the environment. Offer some options: a sample set of guidelines, etc. This way, you know you'll get some feedback and know if you have some support. I would include something that says to the effect "I've got to do something, I'm looking for advice, and I don't promise to do what you tell me to but I probably will." This way, if you get some really off-the-wall advice, as the "benevolent dictator", you have grounds for ignoring it. Think about what kind of a climate you want on the list, and then formulate your guidelines accordingly. Successful lists range all the way from totally civil to tongue-in-cheek combative to outright war. A certain amount of conflict MAY be useful in your list; you might for example exclude obscenity/profanity and personal attacks, but virtually anything goes when criticizing poetry. -- [log in to unmask] Listserv Manager At Syracuse University --