WASHINGTON -- Three days after a racially charged rally underscored criticism of Howard University, and on the eve of a move to end his tenure as president of the university, Franklyn G. Jenifer has resigned to lead the University of Texas at Dallas.

The appointment came just as the board of trustees at Howard, long considered a prestigious center of black scholarship, had began two days of talks on whether to oust Mr. Jenifer. The trustees acted amid concerns over Mr. Jenifer's decision to allow a critic of Jews, Khallid Abdul Muhammad of the Nation of Islam, to speak on campus last week.

Mr. Jenifer's resignation was accepted by Wayman F. Smith III, ++ the board of trustees chairman, who said a search committee will be formed by May 13 to find a president.