The Board of Regents could take the first step in raising room and board rates at the state's three public universities. The plan calls for Iowa State University's most common plan to go up by 1.9 percent starting in the next school year. The proposed increase at the University of Northern Iowa isn't far behind at 1.8 percent while the most common plan at the University of Iowa would rise by a half-percent. If the board gives preliminary approval to the plan Thursday, a final vote will come in April.