In an April 11 interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, UCSD spokesperson Jeff Gattas said that the finding makes sense because UCSD employs more than 28,000 people, making it easily the largest employer in the county. 

Due to a general layoff at the end of the 2009-10 academic year, UCSD had fewer employees in 2011 than it did in 2010. 

The School of Medicine, which is almost entirely private, had the highest increase in party expenditures. Spending for the School of Medicine holiday parties did not come from student fees. For instance, a French gourmet catered celebration for surgery staff held at Birch Aquarium — and costing $20,078 for 325 employees — was funded by patient fees that were designated for discretionary use. This is an increase from the 2010 event, which cost $17,233, partly because there were fewer employees (275), and partly because the caterer’s prices were lower that year.

Jeff Gattas could not be reached for comment as of press time.