Joining the UC OSPO Network is less like filling out an application and more like joining a community—because that’s what it is. We encourage you to spend some time getting to know the people, the work, and the rhythm of the network before taking on a more formal role.
Step 1: Join Our Slack¶
The best way to start is to join our Slack workspace. This is where the community has day-to-day conversations, shares resources, asks questions, and coordinates events. It’s low-pressure and a great way to get a feel for what the network is about.
Step 2: Attend Community Meetings¶
Once you’re in Slack, we’d love to see you at some of our events and meetings:
All-Campus Meetups: Virtual gatherings open to anyone across the UC system, held roughly three times a year (summer, fall, spring). These feature speakers from the open source community and are a great introduction to the network.
Coworking & Office Hours: Twice-weekly drop-in sessions (see the events calendar) where you can ask questions, get advice, or just work alongside other community members.
Campus Meetups: Some campuses hold their own local events. Check the events calendar or ask in Slack about what’s happening near you.
There’s no minimum attendance requirement. Come to what interests you, when you can.
Step 3: Start a Conversation¶
When you’re ready to explore a closer connection to the network, get in touch with the network team:
Laura Langdon, Community Manager: lalangdon@ucdavis
.edu Stephanie Lieggi, Network Chair:slieggi@ucsc.edu
We’ll talk with you about what open source work looks like at your institution, what you’re hoping to get out of the network, and how we can support you.
Step 4: Identify a Lead Contact¶
As the relationship develops, we’ll ask your institution to identify a lead contact—someone who can serve as the primary point of connection between your institution and the network. This person doesn’t need to run an OSPO (not every member institution has one). They just need to be engaged with open source work and willing to participate in network activities.
Step 5: Join the Network¶
From there, you’ll be welcomed into the network’s regular activities, including working groups and leadership discussions. The specifics of how new members are integrated into network governance are still evolving, and we’re committed to making the process transparent and collaborative.
Already at a Network Campus?¶
If your campus already has an OSPO or a presence in the network, you don’t need to go through this process. Connect directly with your local campus contact:
Berkeley—Jarrod Millman
Davis—davis
-ospo@ucdavis .edu Los Angeles—Tim Dennis
San Diego—David Minor
Santa Barbara—Amber Budden
Santa Cruz—Stephanie Lieggi
Or reach out to Laura and she’ll point you in the right direction.