Chapman University Agrees to Settle Sexual Discrimination Complaint

Chapman University in Orange, California, has agreed to settle a sex discrimination case filed by a former faculty member. Lynn Hamrick was an assistant professor at the university from 1999 to 2008. She was denied tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2007. Hamrick filed a grievance with the university, which was viewed favorably by the committee overseeing the case. But the decision was later overturned by the executive board. Hamrick then filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The EEEO determined that the case could go forward, but the university decided to settle rather than going ahead with litigation. The university, which maintains there was no discrimination in the tenure process, agreed to a $175,000 settlement. The university also agreed to provided training to employees on sex discrimination and to establish a toll-free hotline for faculty and staff members to report complaints on sexual harassment or discrimination.

Hamrick is a television and film director based in Taos, New Mexico. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master of fine arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.