(a) All persons, except those who are eligible for membership in the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System as provided for under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System Act, § 24-7-201 et seq., and except those who are eligible for membership in an alternate system as provided for under §§ 24-7-801 and 24-7-803 -- 24-7-808, employed by the University of Central Arkansas, Henderson State University, Arkansas Tech University, Southern Arkansas University, Southern Arkansas University at El Dorado, SAU -- Tech at Camden, or a state-supported community college that is other than a campus, unit, or division of the University of Arkansas System or the Arkansas State University System after March 19, 1983, shall be members of the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System unless, at the time of employment, they are already members of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System due to previous employment with an employer covered by the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.

(b)

(1) All persons except those who are members of the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System or the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, as provided for in subsection (a) of this section, and except those who are eligible for membership in an alternate system as provided for under the provisions of §§ 24-7-801 and 24-7-803 -- 24-7-808, who are employees of the institutions named in subsection (a) of this section shall have the option of remaining members of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System or terminating membership in that system and enrolling in the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System.

(2) The election to change systems must be made on or before July 30, 1986.