If you use the default GLM parameterization method, either by omitting the PARAM= option or by specifying the PARAM=GLM option in the CLASS statement, PROC CPANEL might use an incorrect class variable reference level. Including the DESCENDING, ORDER=, or REF= options does not fix the problem.

To circumvent this issue, specify the PARAM=REF option in the CLASS statement, which uses the default REF=LAST level. If you want to use a different reference level, you can also add the DESCENDING, ORDER=, or REF='level' option in the CLASS statement.