Martin Methodist College and the University of Tennessee System signed a nonbinding letter of intent on Friday, the first step in a negotiation for the small, private college to become the fourth undergraduate campus in the UT System and the first since the establishment of the UT Chattanooga campus more than 50 years ago. The potential partnership between Martin Methodist College and the University of Tennessee System would not only provide long-term stability for Martin Methodist, but also create additional opportunities for southern Middle Tennessee families, who would have access to more graduate programs and more affordable tuition.