Many students have a hard time balancing school, a social life, work and other activities, but in the midst of all this some students are also incorporating University Sing practices with Campus Activities Council into the mix.

University Sing is an event put on with CAC where different organizations on campus pair-up to create original 12-minute musicals using songs by other artists, said Cory Lloyd, advertising senior and executive chairman of University Sing.

“We’re trying to make it an event that is fun and beneficial to the community and all the people involved,” Lloyd said.

He said CAC has decided to cut back practices this year to only eight hours a week, in comparison to its 10 hours of practice in years past.

“I wanted to make sure, and Campus Activities Council as a whole, that we were setting up these kids to succeed,” Lloyd said.

The executive staff for University Sing has been going around to the practices telling the students to never miss class for University Sing practices.

“We make sure that students understand that school is the most important thing,” Lloyd said.

Most of the students involved in this activity are involved in other organizations that require set study hours each week.

“We’ve really tried to push it this year to see if there is a difference,” Lloyd said.

There have been differences in grades during University Sing, said Lloyd, but it has never been anything too drastic.

“They told us from the beginning that school comes before University Sing,” said Emma Hunsaker, University College freshman and Delta Delta Delta member.

They usually have practices two hours a night for four days of the week. The directors really understand and work with their schedules, she said.

“They were willing to work with me on my own time when I had to miss a practice,” said Hunsaker. “It’s definitely manageable. They don’t do anything extreme.”

The houses are not allowed to let students practice beyond 10 p.m.

“I think it’s a lot of fun and I’ve gotten to know a lot of the girls so much more,” Hunsaker said. “I’ve never danced before, but this has been a really awesome experience.”

The event pairs various organizations together and allows them to easily bond with each other, Lloyd said.

“It started out as a team competition, and it still has that aspect, but it has turned into an event that allows people to build friendships,” said Lloyd.

“It provides a fun outlet to go along with their school schedules, and helps students to get plugged in and involved on campus,” he said.

University College freshman Tyler Bridegan, member of Delta Upsilon, said he has enjoyed University Sing.

“We only have study hours twice a week,” Bridegan said. “I think they trust us enough to study on our own.”

Bridegan said he usually goes to the library five days a week at night after practices but said he hasn’t found it overwhelming.

Practices are not the only aspect of University Sing that has been changed this year.

“We have done a lot on the executive end to loosen pressure,” Lloyd said. “We are lessening the time commitment to make sure it’s better for the activities.”

University Sing performances will take place during Parents Weekend, Nov. 13-14.