University buildings are a significant part of university assets and considerable resources are committed to their design, construction and maintenance. The purpose of maintenance management is to optimize productivity and user satisfaction with minimum resources. This paper aims to identify, quantify, rank and discuss the criteria that influence maintenance costs, maintenance backlogs, user productivity and user satisfaction in relation to Malaysian university buildings. Following a review of the related literature, a questionnaire survey identifying thirty one factors which impact effective building maintenance management was issued to 50 university maintenance organizations. Participants were required to evaluate the degree to which each of the identified criteria influences effective building maintenance management. The survey achieved a 66% response rate. Survey results conclusively identified that quality of original components and materials, budget constraints and the age of the building/s are the most influential criteria. Problems associated with in-house workforce, shortage of materials and components were identified as the least influential criteria. This paper also establishes that maintenance management is a strategic function in university administration.