UC San Diego Contributes $7.2 Billion to California's Economy

In tough economic times, report touts UCSD's contributions to San
Diego and State economy
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
The University of California, San Diego contributes more than $7.2
billion in direct and indirect spending and personal income each year
to the California economy and generates 39,000 jobs, according to an
independent economic analysis released today.

Companies started by UC San Diego faculty and alumni create an
even more powerful impact. The total statewide economic contribution
from UC San Diego start-up companies is more than $37 billion annually
and nearly 130,000 jobs. In San Diego County, these start-ups add
approximately $32 billion in direct and indirect spending and personal
income to the economy. These companies create nearly 115,000 jobs, the
report found.

"UC San Diego changes the lives of San Diegans and Californians
every day, through job creation, advanced patient care, disease and
drug therapies, service in the local community, and world-renowned
research and education," said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.
"This report demonstrates in hard numbers the powerful benefits
created by our campus--billions of dollars injected into the economy
and tens of thousands of jobs created. When combined with our
leading-edge research and education, this latest analysis clearly
shows UC San Diego's local impact, national influence and global
reach."

In San Diego County alone, the university's annual contribution to
the economy is $5.7 billion in direct and indirect spending and
personal income; UC San Diego generates more than 33,600 jobs locally.

The study was conducted by CBRE Consulting, Inc. of San Francisco,
which examined UC San Diego's academic programs, alumni, faculty,
research, employment, spending, students and visitors for fiscal year
2006-07 to create an overall picture of the university's economic
impact.

"This report confirms UC San Diego plays a vital role in boosting
our local economy, expanding our skilled workforce and driving the
technological future of San Diego," said San Diego Mayor Jerry
Sanders. "UC San Diego is an outstanding feature of our community's
economic landscape."

An Economic Engine

UC San Diego, the third largest employer in San Diego County, pays
more than $1.1 billion in salaries and wages to nearly 27,000 faculty,
staff, healthcare and student workers. In total salaries and wages,
purchasing of goods and services, and construction, UC San Diego spent
nearly $2.5 billion in FY 2006-07, of which $1.7 billion was spent in
San Diego County. Every $1 in direct UC San Diego spending generates
an additional 92 cents in indirect spending in the county, according
to the study.

"I've been an employee of UC San Diego for 16 years and my sister
has been with the Medical Center for nearly 30 years," said Carol
Hobson, an alumnus and assistant director of Regional Development for
the university. "I know first-hand the type of impact, economic and
otherwise, that the university can have. The benefits and personal
growth opportunities have been tremendous."

Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the world's
oldest and largest center for ocean and earth science research,
graduate training and public service, currently operates over 300
research programs in 65 countries on every continent, in every ocean
worldwide. Sponsored research spending for fiscal year 2006-07 was
$102 million.

The Ripple Effect

UC San Diego's robust economic impact isn't limited to its
spending on research, dedication to students, purchasing and payroll.
Faculty and alumni of UC San Diego have started 67 currently active
companies in California that generate more than $10 billion in annual
sales, of which $8.8 billion comes from Qualcomm, Inc., founded in San
Diego by former UC San Diego professor Irwin Jacobs.

"UC San Diego has a very positive impact on local businesses. Our
region's diversified, highly technological economy owes much of its
success to the influence of this advanced 21st century research
institution in our midst," said Bob Akins, UC San Diego alumnus and
co-founder of San Diego-based Cymer, Inc., the world's leading
supplier of excimer light sources. "The highly skilled graduates of UC
San Diego are one of the university's most significant contributions
to the economy."

Benefits Beyond Dollars

UC San Diego's impact can be measured in more than dollars. In
health sciences, UC San Diego researchers and graduates have developed
advancements in patient care, breakthrough cures, and training and
education.

UC San Diego Medical Center admits more than 21,000 inpatients and
serves 476,000 outpatients per year. But it's the quality of care that
distinguishes the university.

"The caring and professionalism of the doctors and nurses at UC
San Diego Medical Center surpassed my family's expectations when they
treated my newborn son in the neonatal intensive care unit," said
Solana Beach resident Alexis Conerty. "The combination of advanced
medical technology and personalized care has touched our lives. Thanks
to UC San Diego, my little one is a healthy, active toddler."

About UC San Diego

Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego is ranked
the 7th best public university in the nation by U.S. News and World
Report and has been named the "hottest" institution to study science
by Newsweek. UC San Diego is one of the nation's most accomplished
research universities, widely acknowledged for its local impact,
national influence and global reach. Renowned for its collaborative,
diverse and cross-disciplinary ethos that transcends traditional
boundaries in science, arts and the humanities, the university
attracts stellar faculty, students and staff. Learn more at
www.ucsd.edu.

For more information and to access the UC San Diego Economic
Impact Report, visit: ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/EconomicImpact.

University of California, San Diego
Jim Gogek, 858-822-3736
jgogek@ucsd.edu
Rex Graham, 858-534-5952
ragraham@ucsd.edu

Copyright Business Wire 2008