Academic freedom has been hindered nationwide since Sept. 11, the American Studies Association said in a statement this month, but Boston University faculty members have not encountered any such concerns, Faculty Council chairman and College of Arts and Sciences professor Bill Skocpol said this week.

ASA released the statement in early February, which claims that academic freedom has been hindered since the Sept. 2001 attacks.

The organization contends that “intellectual inquiry is under assault by overt legislative acts and by a chilling effect of secrecy and intimidation in the government, media and on college campuses.”

But Skocpol said no BU faculty members have brought such concerns to the Faculty Council.

ASA’s statement also cited restrictions on scholarly research at colleges around the country.

While BU does not conduct any research involving a field such as nuclear physics, Skocpol said, the faculty council has not encountered any instances of restrictions on scholarly research.

“Boston University has a very clear-cut statement in support of academic freedom for everyone based on the reasonable caveats that go with it,” Skocopol said. “This policy applies to everyone, including faculty, staff, and students, in classrooms, research and public expression.”

A more pressing faculty concern since Sept. 11 has been facing the difficult task of deciphering the government’s new rules regarding the registration and tracking of foreign students, Skocpol said.

Among challenges faced by the council, Skocpol said, are the arbitrary visa denials at American Consulates overseas.

“This has introduced considerable uncertainty into predicting the ability of graduate students who have been admitted and accepted admission to actually show up,” Skocpol said. “It has also meant untold frustrating hours by faculty writing repeated letters on behalf of admitted graduate students.”

Various faculty members also said they have not had any experience regarding lack of academic freedom.

Philosophy professor Lee McIntyre said he has not personally experienced any restrictions in academic freedom.

“I haven’t heard of any incidences in which it has affected other faculty at BU,” McIntyre said. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not going on.”

Writing instructor Elina Gertsman said she does not doubt other faculty members around the country have faced restrictions on scholarly research.

“I don’t doubt it for a moment,” Gertsman said. “I think that it is symptomatic of the climate in the country as a whole.”

But College of Communication professor Chris Daly said the fact that Boston University professors have not complained about the issue says something about the school.

“I have not noticed any significant changes in the atmosphere on campus,” Daly said. “In part, I think that may reflect something about Boston University.”

Making changes at American universities is difficult, Daly said, and usually requires someone in a strong position to make a difference.

“At BU, I think all those forces were already working in a certain direction before Sept. 11,” Daly said. “And they have been quite consistent since then.”