Professional Ethics LIVE! is an annual, Texas Tech University student-run continuing education initiative serving the professional development needs of licensed engineers, architects, landscape architects, and interior designers who live and practice in Lubbock, the South Plains and the Texas Panhandle. The key community partner in the initiative is the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (South Plains TSPE), and the key university partner is the Texas Tech University Student Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (Tech TSPE), both of which share affiliation through their parent organization, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Additional community collaboration exists through AIA Lubbock which is the regional component of the American Institute of Architects, and through the National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE), headquartered at Texas Tech University.
From the outset, Professional Ethics LIVE! was framed as a relationship between Texas Tech University engineering students, faculty and the local design professional community to promote and satisfy the needs of all partners. Tech TSPE student members invest sweat equity necessary to host the event. In exchange for publicity, NIEE has provided technical content (its educational materials) and expertise (its Deputy Director). Production costs are shared between Tech TSPE and South Plains TSPE, with South Plains TSPE accepting the financial risk, providing direct access to its members as potential attendees, providing guidance on program requirements, and offering experience and support in hosting successful engineering community events of this scale.