Dean Rosovsky yesterday decided not to offer a tenured position to F. John Adams '66, lecturer on music and Adams will leave the university by the end of 1977, sources said last night.

He said Rosovsky kept his initial conclusions private in order to protect the feelings of the individuals involved.

Adams said yesterday Rosovsky made a decision which names no one to the post of director of the choral groups and professor of Music.

Sources said that a committee of students and faculty will begin a search for a conductor-professor again next fall.

Rosovsky said he "has communicated with Mr. Adams and the various people involved" but would not make a public announcement about the decision because "it is a personnel matter and University policy is not to make these decisions public."

Priscilla A. Chapman, conductor of the Radcliffe Choral Society who last week said she might resign if Adams were not offered tenure, said yesterday her feelings are "much the same" after the decision.

Students in Adam's Music 1 "Introduction to Music" said yesterday Adams thanked his students for their support in his tenure battle in his final lecture yesterday.