The Hess Village apartment complex opened in 1972 for married students and students with children. The village is made up of 16 one-bedroom, 48 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom furnished apartments with a separate recreation center for unit residents.

The complex was renamed Hess Village, in honor of Luther Hess, who was a member of the Territorial Legislature, and Harriet Hess, who was a member of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines Board of Trustees from 1917 – 35, and a member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents from 1935 – 51.