The thing is: since most colleges (I would assume) want to employ their policies mindfully and holistically, I don't see what harm there is in being transparent about how the selection process works. The opponents seeking talking-points are just going to make them up, in the absence of any data...so university administrators might as well be candid for the benefit of reasonable people who want well-rounded info. Unless, of course, they have reason to fear that honest dialogue about their admissions processes would indeed elicit widespread public backlash.