Terrance Kline, the students' attorney, said they are considering an appeal. The students argue that moving the art could have a "deleterious effect" on the foundation's educational mission and result in elimination of classes that teach students the Barnes method of art appreciation.
"We hope that Lincoln University will carry the students' flag in future litigation," Kline says.
The Barnes has one of the world's most significant private art collections, with 181 Renoirs, 69 Cezannes and several Picassos, as well as American Indian jewelry, African sculpture and Pennsylvania Dutch furniture.
But the collection has been handicapped financially by zoning regulations in affluent Lower Merion — the Barnes is limited to only 400 visitors a day, three days a week — and by some of the restrictions in Barnes' will.
Barnes' $10 million endowment — required to be invested in conservative, low-yielding government securities — was exhausted in 1999.
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