INDIANAPOLIS -- Officials from each of Indiana's major public universities gathered Thursday for a conference on religious expressions on public school campuses.

The Rev. Max Case, director of the Indiana Office for Campus Ministries, said the conference was "a forum to educate ourselves to the diversity of faiths on our university campuses and the implications of a resurgence in interest in religious experience."

The event, sponsored by the Indiana Office for Campus Ministries through a grant from the Lilly Endowment, involved about 200 student affairs representatives from seven state universities and their regional campuses.

Organizers said the day-long conference was designed as a day for exploring ways in which institutions of higher education and religious representatives can work with students to promote the development of ethical values and moral responsibility.

Dr. Don D. Gehring, professor of higher education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, conducted a session on the law and policy regarding religious expression on campus.

"There is not a wall of separation between church and state, rather it is more like a line," said Gehring. "The courts today are more accommodating to religion and religious issues. As a result, there are opportunities for religious expression to be permitted."

Participation by representatives from minority faiths underscored the diversity of faith found on many state campuses.

Alan Manifold, advisor of the Baha'i Club at Purdue University said, "The appropriate policies for religious expression are in place. We must now shift from policies to actual experience of religious expression."

Dr. Douglas McConkey, vice president for student affairs at Ball State University and a major discussion leader, described the day as a good beginning.

"The dialogue has begun and we must continue to extend these conversations on our respective campuses and among leaders of our major universities," said McConkey.