The psychosocial dimensions of filing grievances in academia were studied, along with faculty members' views of the experience, factors contributing to success or failure, the effect of age and sex, and effectiveness in achieving sex equity. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 41 grievants at a major eastern university. Fifty-four percent were male and 46 percent female; 44 percent were between 40 and 50 years old, 29.3 percent were below 40, and 27 percent were over 50. All of the cases pertained to procedures for reappointment or tenure. Respondents rated the support they received from immediate family, male and female colleagues, friends, and the faculty organization. Using a 14-item semantic differential, respondents selected between bipolar adjectives that best expressed their feelings about themselves during the grievance. It was found that filing a grievance is a isolating process that brings little support from colleagues, and that grievants pay a very high price psychologically and professionally, particularly during the grievance process, and the trauma often continues for some time. Only 26.8 percent of the females claimed minority status as women, although 39.1 percent identified sex discrimination as an issue in their grievance. Comments of respondents are included. (SW)