Rector's regulation no. 16 of 2021 regarding Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta's Green Campus contains the fundamental guidelines for establishing UNY as a Green Campus. This regulation includes the directives for plants and animals conservation in campus area,

To safeguard its natural environment, UNY's Green Campus regulation (No. 16 of 2021) requires the protection of plants and animals during any construction or planning activity. This means that when the university plans new buildings or expands facilities, it must also plan for the preservation of local ecosystems. A primary method for achieving this is a firm commitment to maintaining and creating green open spaces in every developed area and on unused land across the campus.

The Green Campus status of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) is not merely an honorary title but is substantiated by a multi-tiered policy structure. This structure demonstrates a commitment to environmental governance that aligns both internal university leadership with national sustainability agendas. The primary document is Rector's Regulation No. 16 of 2021 concerning the Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta Green Campus. This regulation was enacted by the Rector, acting on the university's authority, but its foundation is explicitly linked to broader national policies from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) pertaining to environmental conservation. Within this regulatory framework, a significant focus is placed on systematic waste management. The policy goes beyond basic recycling and general waste, incorporating stringent protocols for hazardous and toxic waste (hazardous material). This includes guidelines for its segregation, storage, and final disposal, ensuring that activities in laboratories, workshops, and other facilities meet strict environmental safety standards.

As an institution of higher education, UNY is committed to supporting students' self-development by establishing various organizations based on their interests and talents. The types of student organizations at UNY include the Student Executive Board (BEM), which performs executive functions, the Student Representative Council (DPM), which serves a legislative role, and Student Activity Units (UKM), which are independent platforms for developing students' interests, talents, hobbies, and spirituality. Currently, there are 48 student organizations at the university level and various organizations at the faculty level that are actively implementing student work programs. In addition, at the study program level, there is the Student Association (HIMA), which functions as an executive organization in the academic and professional fields according to each discipline, so that all students have a space for actualization, leadership, and service within the campus environment.

Student organizations at various levels have the task, function, and authority to accommodate and channel student aspirations so that various student issues at the university/faculty/study program level can be resolved. As implemented by the History Education Student Association thru the Advocacy and Student Welfare Division, which holds academic discussions every semester, bringing together all students, organization officials, and Department officials. This activity also began with the reading of a student questionnaire that was previously filled out regarding academic and non-academic problems experienced by the students. In the next session, the lecturer and department administrators responded to various inputs and issues faced by the students.

UNY is a university located in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, an area with a strong social and cultural community. UNY always strives to involve local stakeholders in formulating policies, organizing programs, and mitigating social issues, in line with the tradition of mutual cooperation in Javanese society. One of the things UNY did was when it was going to hold a National Flying Robot Contest at the Gunungkidul Campus. As is the tradition in Javanese society, a traditional ceremony called "selamatan" or a communal prayer is needed to bless the activity process so that it runs smoothly. Therefore, in accordance with input from the community, UNY involved the Head of the Dukuh, the Head of the RT, and the surrounding community of the Gunungkidul campus in the selamatan activity. The event also concluded with the distribution of "kenduri" alms.

Yogyakarta State University is committed to building an Integrity Zone toward a Corruption-Free Area (WBK) and a Clean and Serving Bureaucracy Area (WBBM) across all its work units. The Rector emphasized the importance of accountable and transparent governance to produce outstanding, creative, and innovative individuals. UNY's bureaucratic reform is implemented thru six driving components: Change Management, Work Processes, Human Resources, Supervision, Performance Accountability, and Public Service. UNY acts as an agent of social change toward WBK/WBBM thru anti-corruption education, integrity strengthening, bureaucratic reform, and the application of nine anti-corruption values: honesty, discipline, responsibility, fairness, courage, caring, hard work, independence, and simplicity.

UNY is a university committed to achieving financial transparency. This is done by publishing financial reports for both the leadership and the university. There are various platforms for presenting financial information, namely within the UNY website system integrated with the KPK's LHKPN (Employee Wealth Report) system. Additionally, the university's financial reports are presented in the rector's annual accountability report, which is available on the UNY website.