In a sign that New York City is becoming a real leader in environmental sustainability, New York University announced a major sustainability drive called "NYU Green Action Plan" (GAP). This initiative will include buying wind power, expanding its recycling efforts, improving energy efficiency, incorporating green building best practices into new buildings and renovations, expanding it's bike parking options and establishing an educational program for environmental studies.

A student group called "Green Arch Initiative" actively lobbied the University staff, faculty and student body for over a year to make environmental sustainability a priority.

Jeremy Friedman, co-president of the NYU Green Arch Initiative and a senior in Gallatin, has been working since last February to raise awareness about environmental sustainability at NYU.

"I literally have tears in my eyes," said Friedman, who was also at the meeting.

In September 2005, the Green Arch Initiative began discussing the issue with NYU administrators.

"Reaching out made them more aware that it was a really important issue to the student body," said Green Arch Initiative co-president Lindsay Robbins.

The group spoke with students, faculty and administrators and soon discovered that many members of the NYU community felt similarly about NYU's role in helping protect the environment.

"From that point on, it started snowballing," Friedman said. "With this kind of pace, we don't have to catch up -- we can leapfrog."