University officials, in a move said to be one of a series of administrative changes, unofficially announced Friday that Director of Safety David Stormer has been promoted to assistant vice president for safety and environmental services.

Stormer's promotion was effective Jan. 1, said James Wagner, associate vice president for business and operations.

Wagner said Stormer will continue to head the Department of University Safety. His additional responsibilities involve environmental issues throughout the University system, including asbestos removal and hazardous and infectious waste disposal, Wagner said.

"David is a very, very solid administrator," Wagner said. "There are increasing pressures to put more recognition on environmental issues. I'm looking to (him) as the key policy-maker in that area."

Stormer was in Arizona over the weekend and could not be reached for comment.

Wagner would not elaborate further on the promotion, explaining that he first intended to inform University faculty and staff of the appointment before announcing it to the public.

He said the University's Public Information office was working on a press release, and hinted that other moves within the department of business and operations would be forthcoming.

William Campbell of the University's Public Information office, who is working on a release for the intra-University newsletter Intercom, said the move is part of a reorganization of Penn State's office of business and operations. He said a formal announcement would be ready sometime this week.

"It involves a series of people and a reorganization of the business and operations office," Campbell said.

Vice President for Finance and Operations Steve Garban could not be reached for comment Friday evening.