This document requests that communication students complete a survey by September 19th about the media outlets they use to communicate with family members and any obstacles they face in maintaining long-distance relationships. The survey data will be analyzed and presented during a class presentation on September 26th. Students are asked to provide their responses to questions about which social networking sites and other methods like texting, emailing, phone calls or video chatting they use to stay in touch with friends and family. They are also asked to describe any challenges to maintaining relationships with out-of-state or out-of-country family and how they overcome those obstacles.

1. As a communication student, you’re a prime candidate to create and maintain
meaningful relationships in any setting. Because of this, we’d like your input.
Let us know which media outlets you use to communicate with family members, and why you feel they’re
effective and efficient for your relationship or situation.
If you could, please fill out the survey below and hand it in to either Jenn or Hilary at the end of class
today, September 19th. We’ll analyze the data for results to be displayed during our presentation on
Thursday, September 26th.
Any questions can be directed to Hilary at hilary.dion@maine.edu or Jenn at
jennifer.l.chabot@maine.edu! Thanks so much for your help!
Questions:
1. Which social networking sites (if any) do you use to stay in touch with friends and family?
FaceBook MySpace Tumblr Pinterest Other: _________________
2. Apart from social networking, which of the following do you use to keep in touch with family?
Texting E-Mailing Phone calls FaceTime/Skype Other: _________________
3. What obstacles do you face with maintaining relationships with family outside of the state/
country?
4. How do you overcome these obstacles in order to maintain strong relationships? Do you ever
feel like your failing, or not putting in as much effort as you should be? If so, why?
CMS 332 Project -
Relational Maintenance Within Families