Both are words that, more often than not, will be found in the average college student's vocabulary.

Drinking and sexual activity seem to be more evident these days on college campuses, and it is not because of a lack of exposure to the dangers of these practices. College students are aware of the risks now more than ever.

Almost everyone knows of the risks involved in having sex -- unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, particularly AIDS. And the risks of drinking are just as well-known -- drunk driving accidents, poor performance in school, alcohol poisoning.

Date rape has become the most common violent crime on college campuses across the country.

But an even greater problem can arise from the combination of alcohol and sex, and it is still not getting the attention it deserves. The problem is date rape.

According to the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, rape occurs when someone forces another person to have any kind of sexual intercourse. Date rape happens when the perpetrator is someone known to the victim and the sex is coerced and nonconsensual.

Date rape has become the most common violent crime on college campuses across the country. The Higher Education Center reports that one out of six college women has been a victim of date rape or attempted rape.

With this increase, however, has also come the question of redefining date rape. It is not as simple as "rape by an acquaintance" anymore; the basic definition has blurred. Now, depending on the situation surrounding the event, there are different, and rather extreme, definitions of date rape.

Some experts believe date rape includes situations in which consent may have, in fact, been given. If the accused has talked or coerced a "reluctant" partner into having sex, consent has been brought on by external pressure, and the situation turns from sex to rape.

It is within this context that alcohol becomes involved. According to the Internet web page "Drinking: A Student's Guide," 55 percent of females and 75 percent of males involved in date rape on college campuses were under the influence of alcohol.

Some experts believe date rape includes situations in which consent may have, in fact, been given.

Here is where the controversy comes up: if consent is given when either one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol, and it is assumed they are not to be in the proper state of mind to act or think rationally, can it be called rape?

Well, the answer is dependent upon who is being asked.

Nicki is a rape crisis social worker who also answers anonymously-posted questions over the Internet. She thinks that if one or both parties are under the influence of alcohol prior to and during sexual intercourse, then it is rape.