After seven consecutive years of record-breaking freshman enrollment, LSU again started the fall semester with more incoming students than available dorm space on campus.

But parents' concerns were stirred up last week by viral social media reports of cockroaches at the LSU-contracted apartments where overflow students were assigned.

Freshman student overflow is not uncommon at large universities, said Peter Trentacoste, LSU's director of residential life, in a written comment provided to The Advocate.

To meet housing needs, Trentacoste said, LSU leases more than 12% of the rooms at the Ion Baton Rouge apartment building, across Alaska Street from campus and near other dorms, like North Hall.

Since move-in started last week, Ion has been the epicenter of reports of pests and unclean co

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