But Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III says the society's plans for a permanent building have been hampered by a lack of outside support.

"The question of a long-term space would require them to be a more formal organization with Faculty and almuni support," Epps says. "They don't have enough financial resources to build right now."

Islamic Society leaders estimate that there are about 200 Muslim students on campus. Like many other student religious leaders, they say that a permanent, more visible location would help establish a greater community of students of their faith.

Kleinbaum acknowledges that Hillel's geographically central location on campus is an important part of its large presence on campus.

"Having Hillel on campus was an important part of making it a mainstream part of students' life," he says. "There are many people who wouldn't put forth the effort to walk to the edge of campus."

Heather A. Clayton '98, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, attends weekly services with about 45 other undergraduates at a church in West Cambridge.

The Latter-Day Students Association, the group of Mormon students on campus, meets weekly for spiritual thought and other activities in Memorial Church.

"Some religious groups encounter some obstacles in trying to find meeting space," she says.

"At the same time, I don't think it's something unusual to religious groups, but affects all student organizations," Clayton adds.

Epps says that his office functions as a helping hand with religious groups.

"In general, the philosophy of support for religious groups has been to accommodate groups on campus, hoping in the end that groups will become self-supporting," he says.

Religious Diversity

The issue of space is just one of many that Harvard must deal with in adapting to its rapidly changing religious landscape.

Harvard College was founded by Puritans to educate young men for the ministry, and for much of its 361-year existence, religion-in the Puritan tradition-was an integral part of the Harvard education.

"One hundred years ago, everyone had to go to morning prayers," notes Diana L. Eck, professor of comparative religion and Indian studies.