(a) In order that exceptionally well-qualified academic personnel may be recruited and retained, each state-supported institution of higher education may exceed the maximum salary levels by no more than twenty-five percent (25%) for no more than ten percent (10%) of the positions authorized in its biennial operations appropriation act as president, chancellor, academic dean, division head or chair, department chair, distinguished professor, university professor, professor, associate professor, assistant professor, instructor, extension specialist IV, extension specialist III, extension specialist II, extension specialist I, county extension agent-chairman II, or county extension agent-chairman I.
(b) Within the ten percent (10%) limitation provided herein, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences may include no more than one (1) area health education center executive director, six (6) area health education center area directors, six (6) family practice coordinators, six (6) associate family practice coordinators, and six (6) assistant family practice coordinators.
(c) In order that exceptionally well-qualified non-academic, non-classified personnel may be recruited and retained, each state-supported institution of higher education may exceed the maximum salary levels by no more than twenty-five percent (25%) for no more than six percent (6%) of the positions authorized in its biennial operations appropriation act for non-academic, non-classified personnel, provided that amounts paid in excess of the maximum salary levels for the personnel shall not exceed two and six-tenths percent (2.6%) of the aggregate appropriated for the personnel costs during the preceding fiscal year for the institution.
(d) Subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to athletic directors and coaches.