In 1995, Linda Schilcher held a tenured position at Villanova University, ranked first in its regional category "Comprehensive University" by U.S. News and World Report. Her book Families in Politics had made her reputation as a leading historian in the field of Modern Middle Eastern History.

She received an offer of a position as an Associate Professor in the History Department of the University of Arkansas, a new position created as part of a new multi-disciplinary Middle East Studies Program. Her offer did not include tenure (see Offer Letter), but specified a six-year probationary period in writing. Although her offer did not include tenure, Dr. Schilcher was attracted by the opportunity to be a part of the new Program. She accepted the offer and joined the University in the fall of 1995.

In 1998, Dr. Schilcher's third-year review by the History Department was positive (see Third Year Review). Despite her positive third-year review and the written promise of a six-year probationary period (see Offer Letter), her appointment at the University of Arkansas was terminated in 1999.

Dr. Schilcher's complaint against the University alleges among other things discrimination and retaliation as well as violation of her First Amendment rights. She had protested the treatment of women in the Middle East Studies Program, and questioned the administration of the Program and the management of its funds, a $23,000,000 endowment from Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Schilcher has waited five years for her trial. Untold thousands of tax dollars have been expended by the University's lawyers to delay this trial and defend the administrators, all of whom were subsequently removed from those administrative positions.