Father Wildes is the face of Loyola’s administration, the central figure of the Marquette staff.

This image is especially pronounced given that the rest of the Marquette crew keeps itself securely locked away in the Ivory Tower.

But even though “Pathways” came out of Marquette, the conception and development of the plan does not belong to Wildes. It was not the word of a dictatorial president, but a collaborative effort among peers.

Nevertheless, since Wildes is our most recognizable administrative figure, the burden of “Pathways” has been dumped squarely onto his shoulders.

He, more than any other administrator, has been criticized for this plan.

The amount of disapproval that has been heaped on him is disproportionate to his role in the “Pathways” process, and this scapegoating attack is unfair.

Even though “Pathways” was collaborative, Wildes’ presidency obligates him to support the decisions administered by his staff.

He must put on a positive front for the university.

Morale right now is precarious. Even more pertinent – listen up, Board of Trustees – retention and enrollment are also struggling with a tenuous hold on stability.

So far, Loyola has kept pace with this struggle. With New Orleans the way it is, that’s commendable.

But a divisive administration would in no way help Loyola to stay the course. Morale would plummet, and so would revenue.

So, come what may, the most responsible thing for Wildes to do is publicly stand by the decisions that come out of Marquette, whether those decisions are controversial or not.

His support is helping to maintain the image of confidence coming out of the Ivory Tower, and that image is crucial to Loyola’s continuing success.

That’s why it’s cruelly ironic that the College of Humanities and Natural Sciences just rewarded Wildes with a vote of no confidence.

Wildes puts more time and effort into this university than his office requires. Even when he’s walking from one meeting to another he’s been known to send and respond to e-mails from his Blackberry.

And don’t forget: the man lives in Biever, for God’s sake.

To repay his extraordinary effort with a vote of no confidence shows a lack of faith and a lack of compassion from the College of Humaities and Natural Sciences.

If that college’s confidence in his abilities is low now, consider how much lower it would be if Wildes decided not to stand behind his Ivory Tower.