In 2007, claimant Lynn Hamrick, 57, an assistant professor at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange was denied tenure–a promotion to the position of associate professor. She claimed she was denied tenure because she is a woman. As a result, she appealed the denial to Chapman University’s grievance committee, which ruled in her favor. The decision was subsequently vacated by Chapman’s Senate Executive Board. Hamrick filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Chapman University. After an investigation, the EEOC determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that Chapman University’s decision to deny tenure to Hamrick was linked to her gender or sex, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Chapman University denied the allegations that Hamrick’s denial of tenure was based on gender or sex discrimination., Hamrick claimed that she had worked for Chapman University since 1999, but ultimately left in 2008. She now has been working as an independent filmmaker. Thus, Hamrick sought recovery of damages based on the denial of tenure and promotion based on discrimination.