Any issue that NYPIRG works on, or stance it takes, must be approved by its student board of directors.

[2] Kaylee Evans, student at SUNY Cortland, is the current chairperson of NYPIRG's Board of Directors.

[3] NYPIRG is one of the largest of the Public Interest Research Groups, which were inspired by Ralph Nader in the 1970s,[4] and operate at the state level.

After leaving Columbia University, former U.S. President Barack Obama worked at NYPIRG at its City College Chapter.

[5] NYPIRG works on a variety of socioeconomic issues such as college affordability, consumer protection, sustainable energy, government accountability, hunger & homelessness, public transportation in New York City, and voter rights.