You want to maintain much higher temps than what it sounds like your roommate is doing. Like Ezekiel mentioned cooling is usually only done for breeding purposes. Some snake species will hibernate but not ball pythons. There is no reason to turn off the UTH that is being used. You may want to have a hide spot right over the heat to try and maintain a warmer spot due to the cold temps in the room. Actually when we breed the ball pythons, I don't lower the hot side temp. My hot spot stays at 89. I actually have to increase my thermostat settings to about 104 which translates to an 89-90 degree hot spot, because I do have to compensate for it being colder. I then try to heat the room to about 78 during breeding season which is a drop from the normal 82-84.

As Anna said, your roommates snake is danger of RI (Respiratory Infection) that is extremely contagious and can be fatal. Just a few weeks ago my friend asked me to check on his snakes while on vacation and when I did I found very cold temps in his house. His big Burmese had major RI and the other Boa was sick as well. I had the Burm taken to a vet that specializes in reptiles and even with aggressive treatment she died. Needless to say that experience sucked but hopefully your roommate will take some of our collective advice and maintain better temps. Good luck you sure seem to have the snakes best interest at heart.