SEATTLE, Wash. - Despite its recent difficulties, Starbucks still spends more money on employee health care than on coffee. Given corporations' tendency to cut costs in tough times - sometimes at the expense of workers' happiness and well-being - CEO Howard Schultz's (Theta-Iota, Northern Michigan Univ.) adherence to the principle that Starbucks baristas should have health-care benefits is cause for applause.

Last week, Fortune magazine revealed how Starbucks' Schultz, in the midst of attempting to turn around his company, stood up to a shareholder's suggestion to boost profits by cutting health-care benefits. According to the article, Schultz denied the request, and told the shareholder to sell the shares if he felt so strongly about it. (The unnamed shareholder reportedly did end up reducing his position.)

Many companies did slash various worker benefits amid the worst of the recession. This past April, The Wall Street Journal noted that those axed extras have been slow to return. As recently as October 2009, a Society for Human Resource Management survey of 371 companies revealed that 39% were somewhat or very likely to cut benefits in the following six months.

Though health-care coverage is an expensive cost for many employers, some corporate leaders have refused to waver on that line item, including Whole Foods Market's John Mackey and Costco's Jim Sinegal. Conversely (and ironically), health insurer Wellpoint cut health-insurance benefits for its own workers last October.

Responsible shareholders should applaud corporate leaders who resist pressures to boost short-term profit at the expense of good, solid business principles. Frater Howard Schultz's admirable stance is a wonderful example of TKE’s Building a Better World. If workers feel like their employer cares about them, they're much more likely to do a great job, and extend their happiness to customers. That's a big plus for both long-term profitability and sustainable competitive advantages.

Standing by employees is nonetheless a difficult road for corporate leadership to take. It takes courage to stand up to pressure for short-term sales and profit. Frater Schultz could have easily cut this benefit to prop up short-term earnings, but he didn't. Healthy workers are a healthy decision for publicly traded companies.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saturday, May 1, 2010, the day of the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby, Presented by Yum! Brands, dawned with rain, rain and more rain over Louisville and the rest of the state of Kentucky.

For most of the day, the rain fell hard and turned the track at Churchill Downs to mud. But, the races went on – safely. Yet, even with the rain, as the time for the Derby itself drew closer, the excitement in the crowd began to grow.

For WinStar Farm and co-owners Frater Kenny Troutt (Beta-Chi, Southern Illinois Univ.) and Bill Casner, they would be sending out two horses, American Lion and Super Saver, two horses that were born and raised at their farm in Versailles, Ky., just a short drive west of Lexington.

While WinStar did have one previous Kentucky Derby winner, Funny Cide, in 2003, would the farm be able to win their first Derby as owners?

For jockey Calvin Borel, he would be going for his third Derby crown in four years. He had won it twice before, in 2007 on Street Sense and last year on Mine That Bird. The key for him would be trying to find the right path on the track to take in the race.

"We're very pleased to have Steve Forbes become a Teke," said Frater Kevin Mayeux, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of TKE. "Tau Kappa Epsilon has been the home to many of America's best and brightest - from Ronald Reagan to Mike Huckabee to Bob Barr, from Conrad Hilton to Charles Walgreen, Jr. to Howard Schultz. Steve Forbes continues this tradition as a respected leader in finance and politics, always acting in a way that is smart, measured, and honorable. We're pleased to have him join our Fraternity, helping TKE achieve its goal of building better men for a better world."

Prior to Forbes' initiation, he will be the special guest at the Life Loyal Teke reception being held in the Riverview Room at 5:30 PM on Thursday, August 6th. If you would like to sign up to be an LLT to attend this special event, click here. If you already are an LLT, please RSVP to attend this event.

09/29/2008 - AHOD Early Results High

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Feet have been hitting the pavement, hands have been shaking, and many friends have been made. TKE's All Hands on Deck Initiative has been in full effect for the last several weeks placing volunteer and professional staff scattered throughout the TKE Nation. And once again results are flooding in with chapters meeting and exceeding goals.

Florida State University (Lambda-Iota) is leading the pack with 47 men taking on the challenge to become a Frater. The chapter credits sophomore Recruitment Chairman Frater Zach Frabitore for his detailed plans for success. With the help of past chairman and the rest of the chapter, the Fraters from Lambda-Iota pulled off one of the most successful fall recruitments in their history.