A study examined communication skills of college students to determine the relationship between individuals' skill valuings and their acceptance within peer groups of intact social systems. Data were gathered from 102 residents of two fraternities and 106 residents of two sororities. Subjects completed the Communication Functions Questionnaire and several other questionnaires during large group sessions and were also individually interviewed to provide several different sociometric assessments of peer acceptance and to tap the perceived importance of eight different communication skills in friends. Results revealed that college students highly valuing the affectively oriented communication skills of friends enjoyed significantly higher levels of peer acceptance than those placing a premium on non-affectively oriented skills. Concerning gender differences, results were consistent with the findings of previous research documenting gender-related differences in friendship conceptions and behaviors. (Four tables of data are included; 23 references are attached.) (KEH)