Wikipedia:Deletion of useless stub templates and stub categories

Note: The last edit before this discussion was archived was 13 June 2005.


 * See Stub Templates for Deletion.

This is a special extension to the Deletion policy. This applies to the deletion of stub templates and stub categories. This policy is to help delete useless stubs without bothering the WP:CFD and WP:TFD process for both the stub and category. Additionally, this helps to keep WikiProject Stub sorting in the loop when templates and categories are listed for deletion on either WP:TFD or WP:CFD. Due to the nature of stub sorting, each template is normally assigned one stub category for its use. This policy assists in the deletion of either or without going through the process of listing both on WP:TFD and WP:CFD.

The criteria of useless is defined by consensus, of where ever they have been proposed for deletion. Whether it is on Templates for deletion, Categories for deletion or WikiProject Stub sorting. This does not change any procedure process with regard to Templates for deletion or Categories for deletion.

Required conditions for deletion
A stub template (used in the process of stub sorting) can be deleted once the following required conditions have been met:


 * 1) The specialized stub template has been either:
 * 2) Removed from all articles
 * 3) Reverted back to    on all articles using the specialized stub template
 * 4) Changed to an appropriate related subject-related stub on all articles using the specialized stub template
 * 5) Polite notification has been given to WikiProject stub sorting regarding its deletion.  (Note: It is not required, however since the project is highly involved in the use of the template, it is strongly recommended that notification has been given)

A stub category (used in the process of stub sorting) can be deleted once the following required conditions have been met:


 * 1) The stub category is empty
 * 2) The stub category is not being used by any stub template
 * 3) Notification has been given to WikiProject stub sorting regarding its deletion.

Rules for stub templates on templates for deletion
The following special conditions must be met for deletion when a stub template is placed on templates for deletion:


 * 1) The consensus of the votes for the stub template is delete

Note: Notification ''is highly recommended' to be given to WikiProject Stub sorting during the voting process.

Rules to deal with related stub categories
If a stub template has been successfully voted for deletion on templates for deletion, the related stub category that the stub template used may be deleted once the above required conditions have been met.

Stub template maintenance
Prior to the stub template's deletion after a successful vote for deletion on templates for deletion, the above required conditions must have been met before deleting the stub template.

Rules for stub categories on categories for deletion
The following special conditions must be met for deletion when a stub category is placed on categories for deletion:


 * 1) The consensus of the votes for the stub category is delete

Note: Notification is highly recommended to be given to WikiProject Stub sorting during the voting process.

Rules to deal with related stub templates
The related stub template(s) that use the stub category may be deleted if and only if the stub templates can not use another existing closely related stub category and have met the above required conditions.

Stub category maintenance
Prior to the stub category's deletion after a successful vote for deletion on categories for deletion, the above required conditions must have been met before deleting the stub category.

WikiProject Stub sorting removal process
A stub template and/or stub category can be removed at the discretion of stub sorting project members if project members feel that the stub is useless or is no longer necessary. The following conditions must be met under this removal process:


 * 1) A minimum of a 10 day discussion was held at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Stub sorting
 * 2) At the end of the 10 day discussion, a stub template and/or stub category can be removed if no objections were raised during the two week discussion
 * 3) A consensus was reached that it should be removed after the two week discussion.

In the event that consensus was not reached after a 10 day discussion, project members have an optional additional 10 days to reach a consensus. If, by the end of 20 days, since a stub template's or stub category's removal has not yet reached a consensus, a vote will be held for 10 days on Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Stub sorting will be held on whether or not a stub should be removed.

Maintenance of removal process
This maintenance refers to the actual deletion of a stub category or a stub template. Once consensus for deletion has been made on Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Stub sorting, a stub template and/or stub category may be deleted if and only if the required conditions for deletion have been met.

Vandalism
If a stub template and/or stub category has been deemed vandalism at the discretion of an administrator, any of the following conditions must be met:


 * 1) Evidence that the creation of the stub template and/or stub category is meant to be used in vandalism as opposed to legitimate stub sorting.
 * 2) Evidence that the creation of the stub template and/or stub category is from a known vandal
 * 3) Questionable content within either the stub template and/or stub category
 * 4) Matchs any of the criteria established at the Wikipedia for vandalism

If any of the above conditions for vandalism are met, the administrator must revert all uses of the vandalism template and/or category prior to the removal before deleting the vandalism template and/or category.

New unapproved stub templates and/or stub categories
A new stub template and/or new stub category may be immediately deleted if the stub has not been approved at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Stub sorting for its creation or does not follow any of the stub sorting guidelines. This policy follows the project's self-imposed guideline of having stubs approved prior to its creation.

Undeletion
If any stub template and category is listed at votes for undeletion, the following criteria must be met:


 * 1) A strong convincing argument must be made at votes for undeletion
 * 2) A strong convincing argument should be made at WikiProject Stub sorting.  This requirement is only highly recommended, as the WikiProject is the one that uses these stubs the most.  Logically, it makes sense to attempt to convince project members to use the stub, otherwise, what is the point of its undeletion?